Chelsea 'close' to agreeing RECORD-BREAKING deal

Cameron Smith

• 30 Jul 2024 20:15 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are on the verge of reaching an agreement to sign KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders, according to reports in Belgium.

The Blues have reportedly been tracking Penders for several months and are close to signing the teenager for an initial €20 million, as per HLN.

The deal is expected to include a sell-on clause and substantial bonus payments, while Penders will remain on loan at Genk for the 2024-25 season.

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He will sign a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge and will become the joint-most expensive goalkeeper to ever leave the Belgian top flight.

The current holder of that record is Bart Verbruggen, who joined Brighton & Hove Albion from Anderlecht for €20m last summer. Although the pair will become joint-holders of the record this summer, Verbruggen will be usurped by Penders if Chelsea are forced to pay any bonuses.

The Belgium youth international, who turns 19 on Wednesday, made his first-team debut for Genk in the opening match of the new campaign against Standard Liege on Sunday.

Penders kept a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw, although he was only forced into one save during the entire match.

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Chelsea’s goalkeeper business

Due to his lack of first-team experience, Penders currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of just €1.3m, but Chelsea are seemingly confident that he has the potential to become a future star.

The west London club are also on the verge of signing Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. The Denmark U21 international has completed his medical and will join the club ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Djordje Petrovic could leave the club this summer, while Robert Sanchez is expected to compete with Jorgensen for the number one berth.

In total, Chelsea have already signed three new goalkeepers since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took charge in 2022, and Jorgensen and Penders will take that tally to five.