Chelsea are lining up a move for Brighton outcast Robert Sanchez this summer.
The Blues want to sign a new goalkeeper following the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the club's new manager, with Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy set for the exit door. Kepa was the no.1 for the vast majority of the 2022/23 season but isn't seen as the long-term solution at Stamford Bridge.
Talks have already been planned for Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana. The Serie A side are expected to demand around £34million for the 27-year-old, however, having joined the club on a free transfer last summer. Mike Maignan and Jordan Pickford have also been linked.
Now, according to Sky Italy, Chelsea are also eyeing up Sanchez. Brighton could allow the Spain international to leave the Amex Stadium this summer after Jason Steele impressed during the second-half of the season. This left Sanchez firmly as second-choice, playing one of the final 16 Premier League matches.
The report also claims the Blues are in talks with Brighton over a possible move for Sanchez, who has two years' left on his contract. The 25-year-old was linked with a switch to Manchester United in 2022 but has lost his way over the past year - and wasn't named in the Seagulls' matchday squad for the final few matches of the season.
When explaining why this was the case, Roberto De Zerbi said: "With Robert, we spoke before the Arsenal game and we decided together the best solution was to stay home. He decides everything. Robert decides, and at the moment, it's like this. He wanted it this way, not me, not the club.
"Yes, yes, but with Robert I have no problem. I decided to play with Jason [Steele], not because I don’t like Robert, because Robert is a top keeper, but I’m a coach, I have to decide and I have to decide before the game.
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"You can speak after the game, it’s easier for you, but I am the coach, I have to take the decision before the game. I took the decision to continue with Jason, only this. That is my right."
As for Chelsea, Pochettino is expected to oversee a major fire sale when he starts his role next month. The Blues need to sell to pave the way for new players after spending £600million in the past year. Chelsea are also not in Europe at all next season and do not need a huge squad.
Inter are interested in signing Romelu Lukaku, Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who is already in advanced negotiations with AC Milan. Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang are amongst the others that could be on the move.
