Chelsea are reportedly on the cusp of securing the services of 29-year-old English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who is currently a free agent.
According to a report by The Athletic, Chelsea are set to complete their first signing of the summer transfer window. 29-year-old English goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who is a free agent after being released by Fulham, is on the verge of making the switch to Stamford Bridge, penning a two-year contract with the Blues.
Marcus Bettinelli has flitted between being a first-choice goalkeeper and a backup option over the course of his decade-long senior footballing career at club level. The English shot stopper first broke out at Fulham, and went on to make 120 appearances for the Cottagers while keeping 31 clean sheets in the process.
Bettinelli was also sent out on loan thrice by the South London outfit, including last season, as he spent the entire campaign at Middlesbrough. Now a free agent after the expiration of his deal with Fulham, the 29-year-old is set for a move to one of the biggest clubs in the game, with Chelsea being his next destination.
Chelsea have had an awfully quiet summer transfer window so far, having not made any signing so far. This is in stark contrast to their spree last year, when the Blues had bolstered just about every department in their squad. However, the lull is set to end finally, albeit in the form of a player who will hardly feature in ideal circumstances next term.
The West Londoners had been keen on signing a new third-choice goalkeeper following the exit of Willy Caballero at the end of his contract. To that end, Chelsea were initially linked with Wayne Hennessey, but the Welsh goalkeeper chose to join Burnley instead.
Chelsea, therefore, had to set their sights elsewhere in search of a new third-choice goalkeeper, with Bettinelli quickly emerging as the key target. And the Blues seem to have moved quickly to reach an agreement with the 29-year-old over a two-year contract.
The English goalkeeper will undergo his medical this week, which will then pave the way for a free transfer. So, it looks like Chelsea have beaten late competition from Arsenal and Aston Villa and go on to land Bettinelli, who will become the Blues’ first signing of the summer transfer window, with the shot stopper becoming the backup to Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.