Chelsea to beat Arsenal to French international defender’s signature

Chelsea are reported to be lining up a bid to bring Roma defender Philippe Mexes to Stamford Bridge next summer.

The French international will be available to sign a pre-contract agreement in January as his contract with the Serie A side expires at the end of the season.

Arsenal were supposedly leading the race to capture the 28-year-old up until Chelsea made their interest known, according to caughtoffside.com.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is thought to be desperate to have more defensive cover and will hope to tempt the central defender to the club in the new year.