Chelsea are reportedly gaining momentum in their pursuit of a new number one goalkeeper from the Bundesliga, according to a German report.
The Blues have struggled with consistency in goal for several years, arguably since Thibaut Courtois left the club in 2018.
Both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy have been short-term solutions without providing the long-term stability the club desires.
Since his £25m move to Chelsea in 2023, Robert Sanchez has failed to impress, sharing duties last season with Djordje Petrovic and this season with Filip Jorgensen.
Petrovic and Kepa are set to return to Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks from their loan spells at Strasbourg and Bournemouth, respectively.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Slonina remains on the books, and Mike Penders is already due to join from Genk.
Although summer offers could materialize for both Petrovic and Kepa, nothing is certain. Chelsea currently have an abundance of goalkeepers but are still actively looking for a new number one.
According to Bild, the club is in close contact with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and negotiations are beginning to take shape.
Kobel, who is reportedly content at Dortmund, is nonetheless open to taking the “next step” in his career.
The reported potential transfer fee for the Swiss international is €60m (£51m), which would make him the third most expensive goalkeeper in history, following only Alisson (£67m) and Kepa (£72m).
German reporter Christian Falk suggests that the high fee reflects Dortmund’s reluctance to sell Kobel, who is under contract until 2028. The German club is confident they can convince him to stay.
Dortmund’s qualification for next season’s Champions League could play a pivotal role in the transfer saga.
Kobel is eager to compete in the prestigious competition, having reached last year’s final.
Should Dortmund fail to secure a top-four finish in the Bundesliga, their financial situation may force them to entertain offers for their star goalkeeper.
Currently, Dortmund trail fourth-place Freiburg by just a point with two games remaining and are in excellent form, having won five of their last six matches.
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