Chelsea eye summer transfer for Brentford star David Raya but only if they can’t land No1 keeper choice
CHELSEA are reportedly ready to swoop for Brentford’s David Raya if they fail to land their No.1 goalkeeper transfer target.
Chelsea have veered between Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy for the last few seasons.
However, both have failed to convince and now face uncertain futures while the club searches for a permanent new manager.
The West London club also need to cut costs after their heavy outlay on new additions and appear to be keen on offloading their stoppers to help balance the books.
Mendy, 31, snubbed a new six-year contract over the salary offered – which did not rival Kepa’s.
The Senegal international’s future at Stamford Bridge remains up in the air and we reported how the stopper, who has 12 months left on his deal, has been told he can go.
Meanwhile, Spaniard Kepa has also failed to convince chiefs he is the man for the long-term and they now want a new goalie to lead their resurgence after a miserable campaign under incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Now journalist Dean Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Raya “looks pretty certain to move” and that the Blues are keen.
The Spanish stopper, 27, is also entering the final year of his contract at Brentford and the Bees could offload him now rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2024.
Boss Thomas Frank recently admitted that Raya could depart and that his value has decreased to £40m due to his contract status.
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Now Jones has said: “Raya looks pretty certain to move and now that Brentford are making new goalkeeper plans it’s just a case of finding his new home.
“Chelsea’s move for a goalkeeper is something that Mauricio Pochettino wants but they will have to resolve the situation first in-house as they have two big names in Kepa and Mendy.
“Mendy seems the one most likely to, he’s more attainable financially, and easier to gauge interest in sources have told me, but that still could take some time.
“From conversations I’ve had with contacts it feels like their interest in Raya is legit, but I also think they prefer Andre Onana, just as Tottenham do.
“It’s very early days but it’s not beyond imagination that Raya simply ends up signing for whichever team Onana doesn’t choose to join.”