Chelsea are set to sign Senegal international Papy Djilobodji from Nantes in a £4m deal.
The defender is due for a medical after agreement was reached between the clubs for the transfer of the 26-year-old.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has turned his attention to the 6ft 4in centre-back after failing to sign England's John Stones from Everton.
Djilobodji, who is in the last year of his contract, has made more than 160 appearances for Nantes since joining the French club in 2010.