RUMOURS of Edouard Mendy’s potential Chelsea move are intensifying amid speculation the stopper could be joining the Blues.
Talks between club and the Rennes keeper have reportedly reached a critical stage, according to sports pundit Kevin Palmer.
Chelsea target Edouard Mendy helped Rennes finished third in Ligue 1 last seasonCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to stay and fight for his spot at Chelsea despite the club’s search for another keeperCredit: PA:Press Association
The Senegal star, 28, is the latest target for the Blues following a series of stunning summer transfers.
Their recent swoops include an estimated £70million deal for Kai Havertz, the club’s sixth summer signing.
Frank Lampard is keen to strengthen his goalkeeping options following some errors-strewn performances from Kepa Arrizabalaga last season.
The Blues paid a club-record fee of £71.6m to Atletico Bilbao for the Spain international keeper.
However, the former LaLiga stopper, 25, was replaced by Willy Callaberos twice between the sticks last term.
It was during a season in which the Blues leaked 54 Premier League goals.
Mendy is reportedly valued around £30m following some solid performances for Rennes last season.
The Senegal international was a regular first-choice keeper for his boss Julian Stephan and helped the Ligue 1 side reach third spot in France’s top division.
The Rennes stopper kept seven clean sheets in 18 first team appearances in the league between October 2019 and March this year.
And Mendy was in goal during his club’s 1-1 draw with Lille on the opening weekend of their season.
Although Kepa struggled at times last season, Chelsea’s technical and performance adviser Petr Cech expects the keeper to stay and fight for his place.
The Spain stopper started the club’s pre-season draw against Brighton last Saturday.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
