Soccer: Chelsea agree Leboeuf deal
Chelsea have confirmed that they have finally agreed a deal with Monaco to sell defender Frank Leboeuf.
With the Frenchman keen to return to his native country, all that remains for the transfer to be concluded is for a few loose ends to tied up at the Monaco end.
The French transfer deadline is looming on Wednesday, but it now seems likely that Leboeuf will have been sold to Monaco by that time for a fee of around £3 million.
The progress was possible after Monaco raised their initial bid of £2 million and Chelsea found a replacement in signing South African international defender Pierre Issa on a three-month loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Chelsea managing director Colin Hutchinson told ClubCall: "Monaco are still keen to take Frank. He definitely wants to go there.
"The transfer window in France closes on January 31 and we have now got a deal with Monaco.
"But they have to do one or two bits and pieces at their end before the deal can progress.
"Frank is fully aware of the picture. Chelsea have made it possible for him to go, but it's now up to Monaco to come to us and say that they're ready to conclude the deal."
Leboeuf, who arrived at Chelsea in June 1996 for £2.5million, made his name at Stamford Bridge but has been critical of English football on several occasions.
Leboeuf, 33, is in the Chelsea squad for the FA Cup fourth round tie at Gillingham but had been unlikely to start after falling out of favour with coach Claudio Ranieri.
Ranieri still needs to sign a replacement for his squad and while speculation linked Chelsea with a move for Middlesbrough's Gianluca Festa, they have actually swooped on 25-year-old Issa.
The 6ft 4in tall centre-back, who has been on international duty this weekend with South Africa, is due to arrive in London on Monday, but does not need a work permit as he holds a French passport.
"Obviously we want to have a look at his French passport and all the documentation will go in on Monday," added Hutchinson.
"Hopefully we will get international clearance very quickly and if that happens, he'll be available to be part of the squad to face Newcastle next Wednesday night."
"He was available from Marseille. I think he's had a fall-out with the coach there.
"We had been scouring Europe to try and get a player in, whether it be short-term or long-term, because of the uncertainty about Frank Leboeuf."
