Chelsea are exploring a deal for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
The Blues need a new goalkeeper this summer after Edouard Mendy was sold to Al Ahli. Reserve goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is also in talks to join KAS Eupen in Belgium.
Chelsea want competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga and they have earmarked Sanchez as the perfect player for the role.
A deal for the Spaniard makes sense, as he will be considered a homegrown player having been in Brighton’s academy since he was 15.
Sanchez is currently out of the first-team picture with Roberto de Zebri favouring Jason Steele ahead of him. Moreover, they have added Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht for £17m, and a potential exit for Sanchez could be on the cards.
He is someone with a proven Premier League pedigree, and at 25, his best years are ahead of him. But how will Brighton interpret Chelsea’s approach if they make a move for Sanchez?
Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Moises Caicedo, and they are optimistic that a deal will be struck at some point.
Brighton have already rejected a massive offer from Chelsea, and they have made it clear that the 21-year-old midfielder will be sold at the right price.
Caicedo has a long-term contract at the Amex Stadium, and Brighton are under no pressure to sell him.
Their confidence stems from the fact Arsenal splashed a fee of around £105m for Declan Rice, and they want the Blues to pay a similar fee for their star midfielder.
In such a scenario, the deal has reached an impasse. It’s not clear whether Chelsea will come up with another huge bid for Caicedo.
Chelsea have already sold the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and N’Golo Kante to free up the space and wage for new arrivals.
There are even suggestions that Conor Gallagher could be sold as well. Ideally, Chelsea shouldn’t face any problem in landing Caicedo, but it seems they are taking a cautious approach due to the huge fees involved.
Brighton probably will not mind if they receive a good offer for Sanchez, but one cannot help but think the Blues are playing a dangerous game here.
The lack of European football this season means Chelsea can afford to trim their squad, and simply focus on bringing quality players, and there are options elsewhere the club can look at as potential alternatives for Caicedo.
This is Chelsea’s best chance to seal blockbuster double deals, and they must do it quickly in the coming days.
