Chelsea are increasingly unlikely to lure Bart Verbruggen to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window as Brighton & Hove Albion are growing in confidence that he will opt to remain in his current surroundings instead of embarking on a fresh challenge, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Blues head coach Enzo Maresca is poised to have Dario Essugo among his options heading into next season, thanks to agreeing a move worth in excess of £18million with Portuguese giants Sporting after seeing the midfielder build experience during a loan spell with La Liga side Las Palmas, while there will also be fresh impetus on the flanks.
That is because Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian are due to head to Chelsea in the coming weeks, with the latter making the switch for an initial £29million from Palmeiras, but the west Londoners have also been weighing up whether to bring in another shot-stopper ahead of a campaign where they could be competing in the Champions League.
Verbruggen Not On Course to Seal Blues Deal
Netherlands international expected to stay in current surroundings
Bart Verbruggen during a pre-match warm-up at Brighton & Hove Albion
Chelsea are facing frustration in their pursuit of Verbruggen, according to GMS sources, as those close to the situation have indicated that there is a decreasing likelihood that the situation will open up for him to head to west London from domestic counterparts Brighton in the summer.
The Blues raided the south coast outfit when they went in search of a new first-choice goalkeeper in August 2023, with Robert Sanchez sealing a £25million move, and it had been felt that they could go down a similar route if they choose it is the right time to improve their options between the sticks.
GMS sources have been informed that Chelsea added Verbruggen to their shortlist of options in case they decided to seek a shot-stopping upgrade, having seen him put in consistent Premier League performances this season, but Brighton have fresh confidence that he will not leave the Amex Stadium in the coming months.
Bart Verbruggen's statistics for Brighton & Hove Albion this season
The Netherlands international still has three years remaining on his contract and boasts a £50million price tag amid additional interest from the likes of newly-crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, complicating matters for the Blues, but he appears to be on course to stay with the Seagulls for next term.
Verbruggen is enjoying his role and feels settled at Brighton as he looks to ensure he is his homeland's first-choice custodian for the 2026 World Cup, GMS sources have learned, resulting in him giving indications that he will only consider his future at the end of the forthcoming campaign.
Maresca to Decide Goalkeeper Pecking Order
Italian tactician will have four senior options to select from
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca
GMS sources have been told that Maresca will decide between Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Djordje Petrovic and Mike Penders for the No.1 jersey ahead of next season and the Italian tactician will only assess bringing in another goalkeeper once he has established the pecking order and if any of his options head through the Chelsea exit door.
Verbruggen has been described as 'amazing' by Brighton teammate Joel Veltman and, having made himself one of the first names on the team sheet in his current surroundings, does not want to jeopardise his chances of being a regular starter for the Netherlands as they go in search of their first World Cup trophy.
Chelsea have insisted that they will not prioritise recruiting another shot-stopper when the transfer window reopens for business, but GMS sources understand that some influential figures are unconvinced by their current options in that department as they aim to return to competing for regular silverware.
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GMS sources recently revealed that the west Londoners are eyeing Jamie Gittens ahead of potentially heading into negotiations with Borussia Dortmund, but they do not seem to be poised to land Verbruggen as preparations are already made for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 05/05/2025
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