Sunderland close in on Chelsea defender

Sunderland are reportedly interested in Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma’s signature on a season-long loan deal this summer, reported The Guardian.

The highly rated 19-year-old youngster is rated as one of the best defensive prospects in French football, he joined the Blues from Saint-Etienne in January for a fee of around £12m and was immediately loaned back to his former club.

However, the Frenchman is hopeful of making into the first-team squad at the Stamford Bridge club next season but the recent reports suggest that the Black Cats want him on a season-long loan deal.

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is keen to sign a new central defender to his ranks ahead of next season and also been linked Porto star Eliaquim Mangala and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.