Chelsea have reportedly had a £15 million bid for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy rejected by Ligue 1 outfit Rennes.
According to a report from The Sun, Chelsea have been dealt a setback in their pursuit of Edouard Mendy, with Ligue 1 club Rennes knocking back the Blues’ opening £15 million offer for the goalkeeper.
The 28-year-old Mendy has been with Rennes for only a year, having signed from fellow French club Stade de Reims last summer in a deal worth £3.6 million. In his first season for Rennes, the Senegalese custodian played a pivotal part as they finished third in Ligue 1 and ended up qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.
In 33 appearances across all competitions in 2019/20, Mendy managed to keep 13 clean sheets, while letting in just 31 goals. With the 2020/21 campaign already starting in France, the 28-year-old conceded a solitary goal in Rennes’ season opener against LOSC Lille.
Mendy’s impressive season with Rennes seems to have put him on the radars of Chelsea. The Blues are in the market for a new goalkeeper as manager Frank Lampard has been left unconvinced by current first-choice custodian Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Rumoured Chelsea target Edouard Mendy (Rennes, Goalkeeper) –
• 6ft 6, 28 years old
• 76% save percentage
• 25% penalty save percentage
• 87% own half pass accuracy, 48% long ball accuracy
• 95% total duels won
• 100% of aerial duels wonUndoubtedly has attributes we miss. pic.twitter.com/8mO9sM0b3a
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) August 21, 2020
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper has struggled in his two-year stint with the West London outfut and was axed from the starting XI on multiple occasions by Lampard in the 2019/20 season. And with backup shot-stopper Willy Caballero nearing 40, a new face between the sticks would be a welcome addition at Stamford Bridge.
This has seen Chelsea get linked with Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak, but the La Liga giants are demanding £110 million for the Slovenian. However, considering that they have splashed the cash on the signings of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell, the Blues are looking at more affordable alternatives, leading to their interest in Mendy.
But, as per the report, Chelsea’s initial bid of £15 million has been rejected by Rennes. Although, it goes on to claim that Chelsea could come back with an improved offer in the coming weeks for the two-time capped Senegalese international.
Apart from Mendy, Chelsea have also set their sights on Ajax’s Andre Onana, while Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope has also been touted as a potential target. It, now, remains to be seen if the Blues make an improved bid for Mendy, or turn their attention towards the other targets.
