Chelsea [/b]have reached an agreement in principle to secure the services of Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, in a deal valued at potentially £25 million.
Regarded as one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe, Sanchez faced a setback as he lost his spot in the Brighton lineup to Jason Steele during the previous season.
Conversely, Chelsea had been in search of a top-tier goalkeeper to provide competition for Kepa. They initiated talks with Andre Onana at the start of the summer, but the Cameroon international eventually joined Manchester United instead.
An attempt to secure AC Milan’s Mike Maignan was quashed due to the substantial transfer fee demanded by the Italian club.
Sanchez's familiarity with the Premier League, coupled with his classification as a homegrown player due to his time in Brighton's academy, has made him an appealing prospect for Chelsea's recruitment division.
Pending the anticipated finalization of the deal, the 25-year-old Spanish goalkeeper will contend with Kepa Arrizabalaga for a starting role in Mauricio Pochettino's squad.
The move to Stamford Bridge will also reunite Sanchez with his former goalkeeping coach at Brighton, Ben Roberts, who joined Chelsea in September of the prior year.
Upon his arrival, Robert Sanchez, expected to integrate seamlessly into Chelsea's setup this season, will become the fifth addition to the West London club's roster in the ongoing transfer window.
Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Angelo, and Diego Moreira have all been new recruits thus far.
This development signals another alteration in Chelsea's goalkeeping options, following Edouard Mendy's departure to Al Ahli.
Sanchez's affiliation with the Seagulls dates back to the age of 15 when he joined their academy after transferring from Levante in 2013. Following loan stints with Forest Green and Rochdale, he made his debut for Brighton in November 2020, solidifying his role as the team's primary goalkeeper for nearly two years.
His skills also earned him a call-up to the Spanish national team in 2021, leading to his inclusion in both the postponed Euro 2020 championship and the 2022 World Cup, albeit with his two caps acquired in friendly matches.
Sanchez has accumulated a total of 90 appearances for Brighton and possesses a contract that extends until June 2025.