Chelsea poised for another high-profile signing before Premier League opener at Brighton

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has spent more than £200m this summer compared to Brighton's £900,000

Chelsea are understood to be closing in on a deal to bring Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy to Stamford Bridge.

The Senegal player has been recommended to Blues manager Frank Lampard by Petr Cech, who joined Chelsea from Rennes in 2004.

The Blues have tracked Mendy for some time and are thought to have been impressed with his form with Rennes, who will play Champions League football next season.

Edouard Mendy is on Chelsea's wanted list

And the west Londoners are now close to an agreement to make the 28-year-old their seventh senior signings of a hugely fruitful summer.

Kepa Arrizabalaga is still yet to convince manager Lampard he can live up to his £72million transfer tag as Chelsea’s record recruit, and a world-high fee for a goalkeeper.

But any deal for Mendy would be as competition for Kepa, not as a replacement for the Spain star.

Chelsea have thrown huge financial backing behind Lampard’s Stamford Bridge revolution this summer, with the Blues’ spending already past the £200million mark even before any deal for Mendy.

Joel Veltman has joined Brighton from Ajax for £900,000

Chelsea kick started their squad overhaul by bringing in Ajax forward Hakim Ziyech and prolific RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner.

England left-back Ben Chilwell and Paris St Germain defender Thiago Silva were next through the doors, with Germany midfielder Kai Havertz another coveted talent to join Lampard’s ranks.

France Under-21 defender Malang Sarr has also arrived, but is considered a long-term project and will head straight out on loan.

Brighton on the other hand have seen less incoming action during the window. They have signed Adam Lallana on a free transfer from Liverpool and Dutch international defender Joel Veltman arrived for £900,000 from Ajax

Brighton remain keen to add a striker and a left to their ranks before the end of the transfer window. They have been tracking Uruguay international striker Darwin Nunez and Liverpool's Rhian Brewster.

Benfica seem to be leading the £20m chase for Nunez while Liverpool are set for talks with Brewster on his future this week when he returns from England under-21 duty.

Albion are also keen on Brentford's £7m rated left back Rico Henry.