Nantes have “rejected” an approach from Chelsea for centre-back Tylel Tati, according to reports in the French media.
L’Equipe claim that the Blues did not submit a written offer, but they did communicate that they were prepared to pay €30m (£26m) for the 18-year-old.
Despite the size of the bid, it is believed Liam Rosenior’s team were willing to leave Tati on loan with Nantes for the rest of the season.
However, an agreement between the two clubs is believed to be unlikely as the Ligue One outfit are not keen on selling Tati so late in the transfer window.
What do fans need to know about Tati?
The France youth international came through the famed academy at Clairefontaine before joining Nantes’ youth ranks in the summer of 2023.
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Tati made his senior debut for the club’s B team at the back end of the last season and he was then promoted to the first team at the start of this campaign.
The defender has played 19 games in all competitions since starting on the opening day against Paris Saint-Germain back in August.
Chelsea will be bringing in another centre-half
Rosenior was said to be keen on reinforcing the defence before the transfer window closed. However, with moves for Tati and Jeremy Jacquet being explored for the summer, the club has decided to bring Mamadou Sarr back to the club this month instead.
The 20-year-old was signed from Strasbourg in June before being loaned back to Chelsea’s sister club. However, he did work under Rosenior last season, so the decision has been made to add him to the Blues’ squad.
Aaron Anselmino will take Sarr’s place at Strasbourg. The Argentinian Under-20 international has only recently been recalled from a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here