Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori is poised to join Ligue One side Rennes on loan until the end of the season, according to reports in the English media.

The centre-back is expected to snub approaches from Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham in order to make the switch to France when the January transfer window opens.

Rennes first enquired about signing Tomori back in September as part of the Blues’ deal to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy but, although no agreement was reached, the two clubs have remained in discussions since then about a possible loan.

Tomori has struggled for game time this season, having made just one Premier League appearance, which came as a second-half substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

The defender’s other two appearances came in Carabao Cup, and it is believed a loan departure next month would be beneficial for his development, with manager Frank Lampard unlikely to call upon him much in the second half of the campaign.