Como have struck a deal worth more than £31m to bring Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah to Italy, ending a protracted transfer saga that had stretched over several months.

The Italian club, who secured Champions League football by finishing fourth in Serie A last season, will pay Chelsea an initial £25.7m, with a further £5.1m available through add-ons — a package that closely matches Chelsea's original valuation of £30m plus £5m in add-ons.

Fabregas's long-term target

Como manager Cesc Fabregas had been pursuing Chalobah for more than six months, keen to hand the 27-year-old a prominent leadership role at the club. The deal was finalised after multiple rounds of negotiation, with Inter Milan also registering interest in the England international.

Chalobah will now depart Stamford Bridge after nearly two decades with the club, having joined Chelsea as a child. The move marks the end of a boyhood association with one of England's biggest clubs.

Chelsea's squad reduction under Alonso

The sale forms part of a broader effort by new Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso to trim an oversized squad. Chelsea recently added Maxence Lacroix, 26, from Crystal Palace for £52m, bolstering their defensive options with experience and physicality.

Despite that addition, Chelsea still carry nine senior centre-backs on their books: Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile, Aaron Anselmino, Axel Disasi, Mamadou Sarr, and the departing Chalobah.

The club are eager to offload Disasi and Badiashile, while Sarr and Acheampong could head out on loan — potentially to a Premier League club — as Alonso looks to reshape his defensive options ahead of the new season.