Just last season, Sunderland paid around £5 million to sign the versatile defender, who is comfortable playing either on the right side or central defence. After playing eight times in the Championship, Chelsea are ready to swoop, as the club continue their ambitious project to sign Europe's best young players.

Pembele is not expected to play on a regular basis should he join the Blues, but the Stamford Bridge outfit expect him to cover for the likes of Axel Disasi .

Sunderland could also be given an opportunity to keep Pembele for one more season on loan as Chelsea see the defender as a long-term option for the first-team.

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