Chelsea have confirmed the return of Mamadou Sarr from his loan spell at Strasbourg as the club respond to a request from manager Rosenior for an additional centre back.

The 20-year-old Senegal international has completed his move back to Chelsea and is expected to play a significant role under Rosenior. Sarr worked regularly with Rosenior during their time at Strasbourg; he was named captain by Rosenior during the first half of this season despite being on loan.

The search for defensive cover had briefly included Rennes’ Jérémy Jacquet, but Jacquet was unavailable before opting to join Liverpool. Chelsea then turned to a solution closer to home. Aarón Anselmino was controversially recalled from a loan with Borussia Dortmund but, rather than remain with Chelsea, the Argentine has been sent to Strasbourg in place of Sarr.

Sarr is described as a modern-day defender, combining mobility and technical proficiency with a clear understanding of Rosenior’s methods and tactics. That familiarity should ease his transition back to Stamford Bridge and into Rosenior’s plans.

Chelsea have been without the specific central centre back profile since Levi Colwill’s injury during the summer, and Sarr is comfortable in the fabled central centre back role. He can also operate on either the right or left of a back three if required, providing tactical flexibility.

The club’s decision to recall Sarr and send Anselmino to Strasbourg effectively swaps two loaned players between Chelsea and Strasbourg, reshaping the short-term defensive options available to Rosenior. With Sarr returning to the squad, Chelsea add a young, trusted option who already understands the manager’s expectations and is ready to be integrated into matchday selections.

Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes in the summer, with a fee reported to be up to €72 million (£62.4 million, $85.4 million). Fabrice Hawkins was first to reveal that the Reds have agreed terms to bring the 20-year-old to Anfield. Jacquet had an early preference for Chelsea but changed his mind and opted for Merseyside instead.

The urgency at Liverpool helps explain the switch. Anfield has been stretched at centre back all season: the club missed out on Marc Guéhi during the summer and lost Giovanni Leoni to a season-ending injury. The need for reinforcements may increase in the summer, with Ibrahima Konaté in the final six months of his contract. If Konaté departs, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and the inexperienced Leoni would be Arne Slot’s only senior centre backs.

Guéhi was available again this winter but Liverpool chose not to compete with Manchester City. According to The Athletic, those in charge at Anfield believe Jacquet offers better long-term value for money. Despite his age, Jacquet has impressed with maturity, the attributes of a modern defender and comfort on the ball. Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg even reports Manchester United made a late, unsuccessful approach.

Jacquet’s thinking was also shaped by the contrasting environments at Liverpool and Chelsea. Earlier in the window he was believed to be keen on joining Chelsea, with an agreement over personal terms reached early in negotiations. Sky Sports News report that Jacquet grew concerned about his role in a crowded Chelsea squad. Chelsea currently have four senior centre backs available to manager Liam Rosenior—Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Benoît Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo—with Levi Colwill to return from injury in the summer.

Chelsea have rebuffed interest in 19-year-old Josh Acheampong, insisting the teenager will have a path to the first team, and the impending return of loanee Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg will add further competition. In a system that operates with two starting centre backs, opportunities would be shared and Jacquet is believed to have developed concerns.

At Liverpool, by contrast, he would be immediately in contention for a starting role and, should Konaté leave, would become Virgil van Dijk’s new starting partner. With only hours before the window closes, Chelsea are focused on recalling Sarr. The 20-year-old will be Chelsea’s new “signing” on Deadline Day.

Chelsea will recall centre back Mamadou Sarr from his loan at Strasbourg, with the club preparing to send Aarón Anselmino to the French side on a six-month loan as part of the arrangement. Sarr is expected in London on Monday to finalise his return to Stamford Bridge.

Sarr joined Chelsea from Strasbourg in the summer in a deal worth £12 million and travelled with the Blues to the Club World Cup before returning to Strasbourg on a season-long loan to continue his development under Liam Rosenior. This season he has been used across Strasbourg’s defence, including in the central centre back role where Chelsea have struggled since Levi Colwill’s injury.

Enzo Maresca wanted a new signing to replace the injured academy graduate, but club officials initially sought to protect clear pathways for both Sarr and Anselmino. A U-turn earlier this month saw Chelsea acknowledge the need for a new central defender, though talks over Jacquet have proven complicated. Instead, the club looked internally for a solution.

Anselmino was recalled from Borussia Dortmund earlier this month in what was understood to be a move designed as a catalyst for Sarr’s eventual return. Sarr, 20, offers a lower-risk option for Chelsea; Rosenior has managed him for 44 matches over 18 months and is confident his skillset will translate to the Premier League.

BlueCo have attempted to ease tensions with Strasbourg by sending Anselmino, also 20, to France as the exchange. The Argentine began the season with the stronger reputation of the two players, but Sarr’s performances under Rosenior have raised his value.

While Sarr’s return represents a clear boost for Chelsea’s defensive options, it is unlikely to improve relations between Strasbourg supporters and BlueCo. Fans have protested at what they see as feeder club treatment, a stance compounded by the midseason loss of Rosenior. Losing the club captain, a player who fit Strasbourg well, is expected to be unpopular among a fanbase that already feels isolated and disregarded, though the move was described in the report as somewhat inevitable.