Stoke City have emerged as favourites to sign Kurt Zouma on a season-long loan once the central defender has penned a new Chelsea contract.

Zouma is poised to sign a new four-year contract with the Blues before heading out on loan for the forthcoming campaign.

West Bromwich Albion and a host of foreign clubs have shown an interest in Zouma, but Stoke are expected to agree a deal for the 22-year-old that would see them cover his Chelsea wages. Chelsea allowed Zouma to miss pre-season training on Wednesday while he attempted to finalise his loan move.

Zouma remains highly rated at Chelsea, but will struggle to start regularly under head coach Antonio Conte after the signing of Antonio Rudiger and the decision to bring Andreas Christensen back.

Competition for places has heated up with the signing of Antonio Rudiger and return of Andreas Christiansen credit: GETTY IMAGES

Having missed nine months following a serious knee injury, both Zouma and Chelsea agree that he needs to play regular games to recover his best form. Zouma is also keen to try to fight his way back into the France squad in time for next summer’s World Cup after missing last year’s European Championships in his home country.

Securing Zouma to a long-term contract means that Chelsea will have the option of bringing him back to the club or demanding a big fee for him if he is a success at Stoke.

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Chelsea could have as many as six players loaned to Premier League clubs this season. Tammy Abraham has joined Swansea City, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will spend the season at Crystal Palace, Zouma is on the brink of joining Stoke and Kasey Palmer has re-signed for Huddersfield Town on loan.

Brighton are in talks to sign Izzy Brown on loan for the season and Lewis Baker is wanted by clubs in the Premier League. That means that six clubs will not be able to field full strength teams against Chelsea next season, owing to the rule that does not allow loan players to face their parent clubs.