Chelsea have reportedly reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign goalkeeper Robert Sanchez for £25 million.
Chelsea have now agreed a fee in the region of £25 million to sign Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. That is according to a report from The Athletic, which says the 25-year-old Spanish keeper will now undergo a medical imminently.
Although the Blues remain locked in talks with Brighton over a deal for £100 million-rated Moises Caicedo after having several bids rejected by the Seagulls for the 21-year-old, they have moved quickly in negotiations over Sanchez.
Chelsea had been looking for a goalkeeper to rival Kepa Arrizabalaga for the No. 1 shirt after Edouard Mendy left the club in June to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.
They are said to have initially targeted high-profile keeper options such as Andre Onana, who ended up signing for Manchester United from Inter, and Benfica’s Diogo Costa, but changed their plans after failing to find a suitor for Kepa, as well as their need to spend more in other areas of the squad.
In their search to find a low-cost goalkeeper, Brighton outcast Sanchez emerged as a top target, and he seemingly will not break the bank at all.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts worked with the Spaniard at Brighton and is a firm admirer of the 25-year-old, who is adept with his feet and was widely regarded as one of Europe’s most promising young goalkeepers before he lost his place in the Brighton side to Jason Steele last season.
Sanchez, who played 25 times for Brighton last season and kept six clean sheets, was also omitted from Brighton’s U.S. tour amid uncertainty over his future after falling out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi last season. The South Coast outfit have already signed Dutch Under-21 international goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht as a replacement for Sanchez.
Regardless, the move to Stamford Bridge should be a fresh start for him. He has proven himself to be a very consistent operator at the Premier League level in the past and looks to be a shrewd addition for Chelsea. Sanchez’s arrival could also have a ripple effect on young American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who is set to join KAS Eupen in Belgium on a season-long loan.
