Chelsea to unveil Brighton star soon as Romano reveals SEVEN-YEAR deal
Robin Bairner
- 5 Aug 2023 08:45 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea will formalise the signing of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton imminently, according to football transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues have been in transfer talks with Brighton for months, having persistently attempted to land midfielder Moises Caicedo from the Seagulls.
Chelsea have had numerous offers for the Ecuador international knocked back by the AmEx Stadium side and it increasingly appears that they are starting to turn their attentions elsewhere in the hunt for a midfielder.
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But they have made a breakthrough with the south coast outfit with regards to goalkeeper Sanchez, who lost his place in the Brighton first team last season as manager Roberto Di Zerbi felt that Jason Steele was more accomplished with the ball at his feet.
Sanchez, who is 25 years old, has since been relegated to a third-choice option by the Italian boss and is seen as very much surplus to requirements by Brighton.
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Sanchez to complete Chelsea transfer
Chelsea have taken advantage of this by making a transfer offer worth a reported £25 million (€29m) including bonuses - and this time they have found negotiations far easier than they have over Caicedo.
A deal has been agreed and Sanchez is set to arrive at Stamford Bridge as direct competition to Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is presently the Blues’ undoubted first choice following the move of Edouard Mendy to the Saudi Pro League.
Romano reports that the deal will be made official soon – and that the Spaniard will benefit from one of the lengthy deals that have become such a trademark of Chelsea’s business since Todd Boehly bought the club little over a year ago.
On Twitter, he stated: “Robert Sanchez will be unveiled soon as the new Chelsea goalkeeper. Documents are completed between clubs with Brighton, same for the contract on the player’s side.
“Sanchez will become Chelsea player until June 2030.”
Romano also revealed that Chelsea are close to securing a €20m deal for Santos wonderkid Deivid Washington – a transfer that should be completed over the weekend.
