Who will join Frank Lampard's Blues? Get our daily Chelsea newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jose Mourinho pulled off a late panic deal for Papy Djilobodji - even though the player was rejected by THREE Premier League strugglers.

The Senegal international defender was offered to Norwich, Bournemouth and Sunderland, who all turned him down, only for the 26-year-old to end up at Chelsea in a bargain £2.7million switch.

Djilobodji has a reputation for being rash and erratic — the reason at least one of the clubs turned down the chance to sign him from French club Nantes.

Versatile Djilobodji, who can also play in midfield, only has one year left on his contract, which is why he was available on the cheap.

The champions have agreed a deal and are expected to complete it before the deadline at 6pm on Tuesday.

(Image: Reuters / Toby Melville)

Chelsea had set their sights on Everton defender John Stones and while have steadfastly refused to sell, they are likely to go back for him in January.

Mourinho had four bids turned down for Stones with their final offer £37m, and also missed out on Zenit St Petersburg's Argentina international centre-back Ezequiel Garay.

The Chelsea boss has been left frustrated by a lack of new signings this summer and Djilobodji must be seen as a gamble on the part of the Londoners.