Chelsea transfer news: Strasbourg, EFL promotion contenders secure loan deals for Blues starlets

Chelsea have confirmed that two more of their prospects have left the club on loan, including Mamadou Sarr who has rejoined Strasbourg.

Although the Blues are seemingly closing in on signing Jorrel Hato and Xavi Simons from Ajax and RB Leipzig respectively, as much focused is being placed on facilitating outgoings.

Prior to Friday, 20 players from the academy and senior ranks had been sold or loaned out, Chelsea keen to generate funds and provide ideal scenarios for players to enhance their development.

Two of those players - Mike Penders and Kendry Paez - have been confirmed as Strasbourg players this week, leaving one slot available for a third loan.

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Chelsea confirm Sarr exit

On Friday morning, it was formally announced - as expected - that Sarr would be returning to the club that he recently left to move to Stamford Bridge.

The centre-back made one substitute appearance during the Club World Cup and it was expected that he would remain in Enzo Maresca's plans for 2025-26.

Instead, the decision has been taken to allow the France Under-20 international to go back to a team - also owned by BlueCo - that he represented on 27 occasions in Ligue 1 last season.

Sarr was instrumental as Strasbourg earned a seventh-placed finish in France's top flight, subsequently earning a spot in the Conference League playoffs.

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Academy graduate returns to League One

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also revealed that Leo Castledine has signed for Huddersfield Town on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old was provided with his Chelsea debut during 2023-24 when he was introduced as an 85th-minute substitute in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough.

However, last season was spent on loan at Shrewsbury Town, where he made 26 appearances before missing the majority of the second half of the campaign through injury.

Castledine now links up with a Huddersfield squad that are being heavily backed to win promotion to the Championship having added seven players with vast second-tier experience to their squad.