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Roma have “rejected” an offer from Chelsea for goalkeeper Mile Svilar, according to reports in the Italian media.
Newspaper Corriere Dello Sport claim that a €50m (£43m) bid was proposed by “middlemen” representing the Blues.
It is believed that manager Xabi Alonso wants a new number one heading into next season, with the Spaniard seemingly not trusting either Robert Sanchez or Filip Jorgensen.
The Corriere Dello Sport suggest that Alonso believes one of the reasons for Chelsea finishing 10th in the Premier League table was due to goalkeeping issues.
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What do Chelsea fans need to know about the player?
Svilar was a teenage prodigy. He was born in Belgium and came through Anderlecht’s youth ranks, but he left to join Benfica for €2.5m in the summer of 2027.
The keeper made 23 appearances for the first team (and another 56 for the B team), but he never became a regular starter, and he was allowed to leave for Roma on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
Things took a while to get off the ground for Svilar in Italy too, and he only became the Giallorossi’s first choice midway through his second season in 2023/24.
The Serbian international was outstanding last campaign (2025/26), keeping 18 clean sheets and helping his team secure Champions League qualification.
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Why did Roma turn down the offer for Svilar?
The Serie A club are not exactly in the healthiest financial position. The Corriere Dello Sport report that they need between €50m (£43m) and €60m (£52m) before the end of June to comply with a settlement agreement they reached with UEFA after a previous breach of Financial Fair Play rules.
Yet, it appears they are not willing to offload Svilar. Prospective new sporting director Tony D’Amico has reportedly spoken to head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, promising that the keeper won’t be sold, even if they receive a higher bid from Chelsea or another team.
Read more about the Chelsea First Team Squad for 2025/26 here