Como have agreed a deal worth more than £31m to sign Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah. The 27-year-old is expected to sign a long-term contract and take on a leadership role under manager Cesc Fabregas at the Italian club, who secured Champions League qualification by finishing fourth in Serie A last season.

Chelsea will receive an initial £25.7m, with a further £5.1m available in add-ons following protracted negotiations. The package is close to Chelsea's asking price after multiple offers dating back from early June, alongside interest from Inter Milan. The England international will leave his boyhood club after nearly 20 years.

The move forms part of an effort at Stamford Bridge to reduce the size of new manager Xabi Alonso's squad. The Blues have signed Maxence Lacroix for £52m, adding experience and height to their defence. Chelsea still have nine senior centre-backs on their books and are keen to offload several players to manage their squad size.