Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is ready to release Kurt Zouma for loan next season.

The Telegraph says Chelsea are favourites to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

And with Andreas Christensen set to return from a two-year loan at Borussia Monchengladbach, Conte will have a surplus of defenders.

So Zouma can leave in the summer in search of first-team football.

He has made seven appearances with just two from the start.