Kepa has not kept(!) enough shots out
Chelsea have identified Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan as a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to Sky Sports.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard, and Chelsea are looking to cut their losses on the £71m player after two underwhelming seasons.
Maignan has been first choice goalkeeper at Lille for three year and during the 19/20 season, helped the club qualify for the champions league, conceding just 27 goals in Ligue 1 – three more than PSG and 11 fewer than fifth placed OGC Nice. But most significantly, half the number of goals Chelsea conceded in the league, 54.
Chelsea are yet to make an official bid but it is estimated that he would cost around £27m.
The 25-year-old represented France at every youth level from U16-U21 and has been called up to the senior squad.
Frank Lampard’s team are in need of defensive reinforcements and are reportedly close to completing deals for Ben Chilwell for £50m fee and Thiago Silva on a free transfer after his contract at PSG expired. Maignan would be another welcome addition to a struggling backline.
Elsewhere, Chelsea have already confirmed the arrivals of Timo Werner and Hakin Ziyech, and have today agreed a lot €100m fee for German wonderkid Kai Havertz that will be split into an initial €80m with the remaining €20m paid in add-ons.
