Transfers
Chelsea agree £25m fee for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez
Chelsea have agreed a fee of £20 million plus £5 million in add-ons for Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, according to reports.
The shot-stopper is set to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side to provide competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
This comes after Edouard Mendy departed the club to join Al-Ahli earlier in the summer.
Pochettino’s side have acted swiftly to secure a replacement for the Senegal international, with David Ornstein breaking the news that Chelsea reached an agreement with Brighton.
The journalist reported that the Spaniard will undergo his Chelsea medical imminently after a fee in the region of £25 million was agreed between the clubs.
The transfer sees Sanchez reunite with his former goalkeeper coach Ben Roberts, with the pair previously working together on the south coast.
It remains to be seen as to whether Sanchez can displace Arrizabalaga at Chelsea, having done so already in the Spanish national team before losing his place.
The 25-year-old fell out of favour since Graham Potter’s departure at Brighton, with Jason Steele taking his place under Roberto de Zerbi.
A move always looked likely in the summer transfer window as he was excluded from the Seagulls’ pre-season tour in the United States.
Chelsea remain locked in talks with Tony Bloom’s side over a move for Moises Caicedo also, with it unclear as to whether the two clubs are any closer to a compromise.
Furthermore, Sanchez’s arrival at Stamford Bridge will likely see Gabriel Slonina depart on loan after it was reported that he is expected to join Belgian side Eupen for the coming season.
Chelsea concluded their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Borussia Dortmund, seeing Pochettino’s side go unbeaten during their time in the States.