The willingness of Mauricio Pochettino to make Kepa Arrizabalaga his No1 goalkeeper next season has shifted Chelsea’s transfer strategy.
The incoming Blues manager does not officially start work until July, but has made clear his admiration for the 28-year-old Spain keeper after a resurgent campaign last season. Last night, Kepa was in the Spain squad that won the Nations League Final against the Croatia. Pochettino believes that, along with goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez, he can take Kepa to the next level.
Chelsea previously identified Inter Milan’s Andre Onana as their main target, but walked away from talks over a potential £50million deal at the weekend. It leaves Manchester United in the driving seat for his signature.
The Blues will instead look for another capable No2 who can push Kepa, with Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili among the options next on the shortlist. Edouard Mendy will leave to create space for a new addition and is in talks with Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli over a three-year deal.
Chelsea hope to complete a move for Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson and make significant progress to sign Brighton’s Moises Caicedo this week.
Jackson, 21, opened talks over a contract at Chelsea last week, agreeing on terms over the weekend. The Senegal striker scored nine goals in his last eight La Liga games. The Blues need to pay his £30million release clause to secure his signature.
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Caicedo, also 21, is keen to move to a bigger club and has been a target for both the Blues and Arsenal. Chelsea have had a £60m opening bid for the Ecuador midfielder rejected, with £100m now reportedly the asking price.
Romelu Lukaku, Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, N’Golo Kante, Marc Cucurella and Hakim Ziyech are set to be sold, while Manchester City are closing in on Mateo Kovacic and United and Arsenal are targeting Kai Havertz
