According to reports, Brighton and Spain goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has ‘already accepted’ a summer move to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
The 25-year-old progressed through the ranks at Brighton and he was their first-choice goalkeeper in the Premier League for two-and-a-half years.
The Spain international lost his place to Jason Steele last season and the 32-year-old has been preferred by Robert De Zerbi ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Chelsea are known to be in the market for a new goalkeeper. They have been linked with David Raya, who is now reportedly favouring a move to Arsenal over Bayern Munich.
The Blues meanwhile are stepping up their interest in Sanchez. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed on Monday afternoon that they have “sent a formal bid” to Brighton for the goalkeeper.
Talks between the two clubs are “ongoing” and it is suggested that Sanchez has “already accepted” Chelsea as his preferred “destination”
The Daily Mail claims Sanchez has ‘agreed to join’ Chelsea as a move to the Blues is viewed as a ‘perfect opportunity’.
‘Chelsea want Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and he has agreed to join.
‘Sanchez has fallen out of favour with Roberto De Zerbi and wants to get away with Chelsea a perfect opportunity. Former Brighton goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts is at Chelsea and played a big part in mentoring Sanchez’s development. Indeed, the 6ft 6ins shot stopper credits his ‘mental fortitude’ to Roberts’s influence.
‘Though born in Spain and capped twice by them, Sanchez counts as homegrown as he has been brought up through Brighton’s academy since the age of 15, and was courted by England prior to his Spain call-up. That could prove vital with Chelsea’s current recruitment pattern and the fact the likes of Conor Gallagher could still depart.’
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The report from The Daily Mail also reveals that Chelsea have been ‘maintaining contact’ with Southampton over Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento.
‘Chelsea have also been maintaining contact with Southampton over Romeo Lavia and Tino Livramento.
‘Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed new signing from Rennes, Lesley Ugochukwu, should go on loan to Strasbourg with winger Angelo Gabriel expected to follow.
‘Regardless of shared ownership rules permit only three loans allowed between clubs. They still plan to sign striker Elye Wahi from Montpellier with Strasbourg in mind so Chelsea will need to find different temporary, or permanent, homes for a number of the players they are stockpiling. Impressive midfielder Andrey Santos has interest from eight clubs, home and abroad.’
£50m-rated Lavia is also being pursued by Liverpool and Man Utd, while Livramento could also cost £50m and he is being targeted by Newcastle United.
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