Chelsea must now turn their attention to signing Jan Oblak from Atletico Madrid following Jordan Pickford strongly hinting he’s set to remain at Everton.
It is no secret that Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has been lining up a move for another goalkeeper this summer, having already secured the signing of Robert Green as a third choice shot-stopper this summer.
Number 1 ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois has refused to pledge his future to the club which has left Chelsea reportedly searching for alternative options ahead of the new season.
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According to the Daily Star, Chelsea were set to look into signing Jordan Pickford, though another Daily Star report claims he’s looking set to discuss a new contract with Everton.
This is backed up by another Daily Star piece that quotes the England international as sounding optimistic about the season ahead at Goodison Park.
‘I think it is a massive club and the club is only going in the right direction,’ he is quoted in the Star.
‘We want to do better. We finished eighth last season and so we want to get better than seventh, get into the top six.’
The Daily Star reports that Courtois is aiming to push through a move to Real Madrid before the transfer window closes, which could leave Chelsea forced into action to sign a replacement in the coming days, with Oblak among the options being looked at.
Spanish publication Diario Gol has previously linked the Slovenia international with Real Madrid, though they’d likely have to pay his €100million release clause.
Should Chelsea decide to break the bank and complete a record transfer for the Slovenian shot-stopper, he would likely prove the ideal replacement for the outgoing Courtois, having shone for Atletico in the last few years under Diego Simeone’s stewardship.
On August the 9th this season’s Premier League transfer window will close until January and with Chelsea’s pressing need to ensure they are not left short on quality between the sticks, supporters should expect new developments in this story over the next week.
Liverpool have sent a real signal of their ambitions this season by spending big on bringing in Alisson from Roma, and Chelsea must be prepared to go to similar lengths to solve this problem position in their ranks as well.
CFC used to be a real force in the transfer market and look in need of a statement signing like this again after dropping out of the top four last season and facing losing such a world class name in the form of Courtois.
With Pickford unavailable, Oblak is surely the calibre of player Chelsea need to be aiming for now, with others linked with the club, such as Kasper Schmeichel (according to Sky Sports) not really of the required standard.
