Cheslea have agreed a €20 million deal with Genk for their teenage goalkeeper Mike Penders, who will remain in Belgium for another season.
According to HITC, Mike Penders is set to join Chelsea in a €20 million deal and will remain at Genk for another season on loan. The Blues have decided to splash on a highly-rated stopper, who they might consider an essential first-team member.
Chelsea seal Mike Penders move
Chelsea continue to attack the market for young, up-and-coming talents, as they have done in the last two years since their takeover. The new owners have drawn up a strategy that has seen the club spend obscene amounts of money on unproven talent, albeit those with a high ceiling for the future.
There are many questions raised over this particular strategy, although Chelsea have continued on that path with total commitment and are refusing to stop anytime soon. This summer, they have made similar moves for Estevao Willian and Aaron Anselmino, and now they have splashed €20 million on yet another goalkeeper.
Having already signed Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal for around €24 million, Chelsea decided to part with €20 million for 2005-born Belgian wonderkid Mike Penders. The 18-year-old was linked with the Blues a few days ago, and his arrival is imminent.
Chelsea will send the teenager back to Genk for a loan spell until next summer, as they hope to integrate him into their first team setup next season. The keeper has agreed on personal terms and will happily continue developing in his current surroundings.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation explained
The arrival of Enzo Maresca has seen the former Leicester boss evaluate his goalkeeping situation. While stating earlier that Robert Sanchez might start as his first choice for the new season, the arrival of Jorgensen may indicate the Italian might have changed his mind about the Spaniard.
With Jorgensen on board, the Dane will likely fight for a place with Sanchez, leaving Djorde Petrovic free to find a new suitor. Next season, when Penders arrives from Genk, one of Jorgensen and Sanchez will find themselves in a similar position to Petrovic, meaning one might depart to make way for the 2005-born Belgian wonderkid.
