By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

1st Sep, 2023 | 11:12am

Sources: Stoke City in advanced talks to sign Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys

Chelsea defender Bashir Humphreys is in advanced talks with Stoke over a loan move to the Championship club, sources have told Football Insider.

A number of EFL clubs and teams from abroad have shown an interest in loaning centre-back Humphreys this summer.

Chelsea feel the 20-year-old would benefit by going out on loan to get regular first-team action and Stoke are keen to finalise a deal before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Humphreys impressed during pre-season, playing in all five of their warm-up matches in the United States.

The youngster also played 90 minutes in Chelsea’s 2-1 League Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon on Wednesday (31 August).

However, he is likely to find himself down the pecking order in Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans this season.

The centre-back spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan at 2.Bundesliga outfit SC Paderborn.

He made 13 appearances across all competitions for the German outfit in his first loan spell away from Chelsea – with all of those outings coming from the start.

Humphreys is currently out of contract at Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.

The defender, who can also play in defensive midfield, joined the Chelsea academy setup from Reading in 2019.

He has made two senior appearances for the Blues as well as 69 appearances for the club’s youth sides.

Humphreys has also been capped seven times for England’s Under-20 side, scoring twice.

Stoke have made no fewer than 15 signings so far this summer, including big-money deals for Wouter Berger and Ryan Mmaee.

Alex Neil’s side have won two and lost two in their opening four Championship games this term.

In other news, Crystal Palace set for ownership shake-up as investors line up Chelsea deal.