Cesc Fabregas to Monaco: Chelsea star set for last appearance as French side close in on transfer

Moving on: Cesc Fabregas is expected to leave Chelsea this January
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Simon Johnson2 January 2019

Monaco are confident they have won the race to sign Cesc Fabregas and the midfielder could play his last game for Chelsea this weekend.

Fabregas has just five months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and is unlikely to sign an extension because Chelsea only offer 12-month deals to players over 30.

Standard Sport revealed last month that Monaco had emerged as strong rivals to AC Milan for the midfielder's signature following the appointment of his former Arsenal and Barcelona team-mate Thierry Henry as manager in October.

Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri has asked Fabregas to stay, but the 31-year-old wants more first team football having started just one Premier League game this term.

Monaco are struggling to avoid relegation from Ligue 1 as they currently sit 19th in the table.

But Monaco believe Henry's long-lasting friendship with Fabregas is going to be decisive and hope that a deal will be concluded next week.

It has been reported that Fabregas, who missed Sunday's win over Crystal Palace with a neck injury, is determined to play once more for Chelsea in order to reach the landmark of 500 club appearances in English football (Arsenal and Chelsea combined).

Fabregas is unlikely to feature in the League against Southampton on , but is being earmarked to face Nottingham Forrest in the FA Cup Third Round in three days' time.

In Pictures | Crystal Palace vs Chelsea | 30/12/2018

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The departure of Fabregas would save Chelsea a significant sum in wages as he is currently on around £160,000-a-week, not including bonuses.

The Spain midfielder has been a huge success since joining from Barcelona for £30m in 2014, winning two League titles, one FA Cup and League Cup.

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