Chelsea are reportedly readying to make a €12 million bid for Besiktas goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu with contact established between the two clubs.
According to a report from Fotomac, Chelsea are interested in signing young Turkish goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu from Besiktas and have already initiated talks over a potential move for the 20-year-old.
Destanoglu started at the academy of Bayrampasa before joining the Besiktas youth academy in 2013. Since then, the shot-stopper has enjoyed a steady rise in stature within the Turkish outfit. He made his senior debut in 2020 and has since established himself as a mainstay between the sticks.
Destanoglu has made 58 appearances for Besiktas so far, keeping 21 clean sheets in the process. The 20-year-old helped the team win the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup last season. His development at the Vodafone Arena has not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea reportedly taking a keen interest in securing his services.
The Blues strengthened their goalkeeping department last summer with the signing of Marcus Bettinelli, who was brought in as the third-choice behind Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga. In Mendy, Chelsea have one of the best goalkeepers in Europe on current form, while Kepa has recovered his confidence after a couple of seasons filled with struggles at Stamford Bridge.
However, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper continues to be behind the Senegalese international in the pecking order and may seek an exit in the near future to enhance his chances of making it to the Spanish national team for the FIFA World Cup next year. There is no shortage of interest in the ex-Athletic Bilbao star, with Juventus keen on signing him.
Reports have even indicated that Chelsea have received a formal approach from Lazio for Kepa’s services. With his situation being as it is, the Blues may be preparing for the eventuality that the Spaniard might move on in search of regular first-team football by eyeing a move for Destanoglu.
The report states that Chelsea have already initiated talks with Besiktas over a possible move. Blues’ legend and current youth coach, Claude Makelele, is taking point in these negotiations, having spoken to the Turkish outfit’s manager, Sergen Yalcin. It is even claimed that the west London giants are readying an offer worth around €12 million for the 20-year-old.
It will be interesting to see if this leads to a move to England for Destanoglu and whether that would mean the end of Kepa’s turbulent spell at Stamford Bridge.