Rennes captain Damien Da Silva admits Edouard Mendy ‘deserves’ to join Chelsea as the goalkeeper closes in on a move to Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard has been keen to recruit a new goalkeeper this summer following Kepa Arrizabalaga’s poor form last season.
Chelsea are now understood to be close to agreeing a £25 million deal with Rennes for Mendy.
And Da Silva admits Rennes’ players are reluctant to see the Senegal international leave the club.
‘We are a little selfish, we don’t want to lose Edouard Mendy but it’s part of football and the transfer market,’ Da Silva told Telefoot.
‘He’s a great goalkeeper who deserves what happens to him.’
According to reports, Chelsea have agreed to pay an initial £18.2m fee for Mendy but the deal could rise to £25m after add-ons.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper has been a standout performer for Rennes, who have qualified for this season’s Champions League, following his £3.5m transfer from Stade Reims last summer.
Mendy is set to become Chelsea’s seventh new arrival this summer after Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr.
‘Kepa struggled last season, that is unquestionable,’ said Cech.
‘But the club invested in him and gave him a long-term contract because they believe he has the qualities and attributes to be successful.
‘Additions will be made to the squad, perhaps even in goal, and this is what is being discussed now.
‘But nobody is giving up on Kepa and we all hope he has a great future.’
