Nathaniel Chalobah's move to Watford is close to being completed, with the England Under-21 international returning to Vicarage Road after four years away.

Now aged 22, the midfielder spent a season on loan with the Hornets in 2012/13, playing 42 times for Gianfranco Zola's side as they reached the Championship play-off final.

But having reached at a crucial age in his development and with opportunities at Stamford Bridge severely limited, the Blues are willing to let one of their few homegrown players go - reportedly for the cut-price figure of £5million up-front.

Watford are in the process of finalising a deal to make Chalobah their fourth summer signing, reuniting him with fellow Young Lions midfielder Will Hughes, who he played alongside during the European Under-21 Championships last month.

Chelsea are close to signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, another central midfielder, leaving Chalobah's route to the champions' first team even more restricted.

This is believed to have fuelled his desire to leave, rather than accept a new five-year deal presented to him by Antonio Conte.