Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has approved the departure of Danny Drinkwater.

The Daily Star says Chelsea's squad is stacked with midfielders Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Cesc Fabregas, Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek battling it out alongside the 28-year-old.

And now Blues boss Sarri has “has signalled he is happy for the England international to leave before the European transfer window closes at the end of the month".

Tiemoue Bakayoko was quickly deemed surplus to requirements by the Italian coach and was shipped out to AC Milan this week.

Now Drinkwater could be heading abroad himself as Sarri attempts to trim his squad and the club's wage bill.

The star has endured a nightmare at Stamford Bridge since his arrival from Leicester for £35m last summer.