Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly received a boost in pursuit of Jan Oblak, who is ready to leave Atletico Madrid this summer.
According to a report by El Gol Digital, Jan Oblak is eager to part ways with Atletico Madrid in the summer transfer window. The Slovenian goalkeeper, who has a €120 million release clause in his deal with Los Rojiblancos, is the subject of interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
Oblak has transformed into one of the best goalkeepers in the world since joining Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2014. A colossal figure between the sticks, the 28-year-old has a phenomenal record for the Colchoneros, having kept 154 clean sheets while conceding just 205 goals in 292 appearances.
However, Oblak’s frustrations at the Wanda Metropolitano have boiled over due to the inability of Atletico Madrid to remain competitive in the UEFA Champions League. That is why the Slovenian international is now ready to seek a new adventure, which has provided a boost to Chelsea and Manchester United.
Chelsea have signed a shot stopper in two of the last three summer transfer windows, but are have still not been able to find stability in their goalkeeping department. While Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to be offloaded in the coming window, Edouard Mendy has blown hot and cold at times, although he has been largely solid since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel.
Nevertheless, it looks like Chelsea are set to enter the market for a goalkeeper this summer, with Gianluigi Donnarumma also linked with them. Manchester United, on the other hand, are in the same boat as their Premier League rivals, with David de Gea reportedly facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
If the Spaniard ends up being offloaded, Manchester United will need to bolster their goalkeeping department, even if Dean Henderson is promoted to the no. 1 role full time. However, in signing Oblak, Henderson will be put in an odd predicament, considering he will have to fight for the spot at the very least.
Nevertheless, it looks like Manchester United are considering a move for Oblak, who is now ready to part ways with Atletico Madrid. The Red Devils and Chelsea, though, will need to pay the big bucks to swoop him away from the Wanda Metropolitano, with the player only likely to be allowed to leave if his €120 million release clause is triggered.
Such an eventuality could well prove to be a stumbling block for both Chelsea and Manchester United at a time when the coronavirus pandemic has affected the finances of just about every club. Having said that, it remains to be seen if either of the English giants do make a move for Oblak, or if Atletico Madrid can turn his head and coax him to stay put at the club.