Chelsea are ready to make Robert Sanchez their new No1 following the departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga, after setting a £20million budget to sign a back-up goalkeeper.
Kepa this week joined Real Madrid on loan as a replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois and Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino will go with new £25m signing Sanchez as his first-choice option between the posts this season.
Chelsea have decided against a move to sign a top-level goalkeeper and will instead target a young supporting option after backing Sanchez, who was originally signed to compete with Kepa for the starting spot.
Chelsea's urgent need to sign a new goalkeeper is heightened by an injury to third-choice option Marcus Bettinelli.
Lucas Bergstrom, 20, was on the bench for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool but he is not considered as ready for the first team and wants to go out on loan again this season.
Chelsea's limited budget for a new goalkeeper is likely to rule out moves for previous targets Gregor Kobel from Borussia Dortmund and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili. Both Kobel and Mamardashvili are likely to want to come in as the undisputed No1.
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, who has completed his medical ahead of a £58m move to Stamford Bridge.
The Blues are also in talks to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise after triggering a £35m release clause in his contract.
Transfer live blog! Follow all the latest Chelsea news and rumours
Chelsea need to offload players to balance the books and are increasingly open to selling Lewis Hall, who they value at £30m despite the young defender signing a new six-year contract just last week.
Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah and Ian Maatsen could also be sold. Nottingham Forest want Chalobah but he is reluctant to move to the City Ground.
Hakim Ziyech is close to joining Galatasaray, Callum Hudson-Odoi continues to push for a move to Fulham and Romelu Lukaku is waiting for Juventus to raise the funds to sign him.
