Chelsea are expected to complete a deal for Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.

The Express claims Paredes will be unveiled as the Blues' first signing of the month after the two clubs reached a £31m agreement.

Paredes is a direct replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who departed for Monaco last week.

Chelsea had initially wanted Cagliari's Nicola Barella, but were rebuffed in their pursuit.

24-year-old Paredes joined Zenit from Roma in 2017 and has impressed mightily in Russia.