Chelsea are already being linked with new goalkeepers ahead of the summer window, and one option is Bart Verbruggen. But Real Madrid are set to battle Chelsea for the Dutch stopper.
Robert Sanchez’s form has been sporadic during his time at Chelsea, and while it has been solid enough under Liam Rosenior, the Spaniard is still capable of a clanger. The 3-2 loss to Arsenal is proof of that.
Chelsea have long been considering a new goalkeeper, and plenty are on the shortlist. Roma’s Mile Svilar was linked in January, and more recently, Sunderland stopper Robin Roefs has been touted with a move.
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Roefs’ Netherlands teammate Bart Verbruggen has starred over the last couple of seasons since he came in for Sanchez at Brighton. So much so that Chelsea are willing to pay £50m for Brighton’s £16m signing.
Real Madrid set to rival Chelsea for £50m Verbruggen
According to Spanish journalist Jorge C Picon, Real Madrid are looking to replace Chelsea icon Thibaut Courtois in the long run. While Courtois remains no.1, his injuries are beginning to rack up of late.
Madrid have back-up options in Ukraine international Andriy Lunin and Fran Gonzalez, but the feeling is that the Spanish giants need better. Picon reports that Madrid are also interested in Verbruggen.
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Indeed, the Dutchman is one of two goalkeepers that Madrid are considering, along with Dortmund ace Gregor Kobel. It might see Madrid replace a Chelsea icon, with a Chelsea target, in Verbruggen.
Picon reported on his X account: “Right now, Kobel from Dortmund or Verbruggen from Brighton are the ones they like most for recruitment.”
Verbruggen has the pick of Europe’s elite this summer
Alongside Chelsea and Madrid, Brighton’s no.1 has interest from Bayern Munich and Tottenham, too. Spurs are expected to be after a goalkeeper, with Chelsea’s rivals moving on from Guglielmo Vicario.
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But with Spurs in a relegation scrap and the possibility of Championship football a real threat, it feels unlikely that Igor Tudor’s side will have any chance of being able to operate in Chelsea’s market.
Verbruggen is likely to be off to the World Cup with the Netherlands this summer, and a decision is unlikely to be made until afterwards. But, Chelsea and Madrid look set to go head-to-head for him.
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