Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to sign former Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a free transfer this summer.
The Blues lost backup stopper Willy Caballero after the Argentine’s contract expired and have been looking for a replacement, with Bettinelli on a short list that has also included names like Wayne Hennessey and Sergio Romero.
Bettinelli spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough / John Early / Getty Images
According to the Daily Mail, the club’s officials have decided on Bettinelli, who has agreed a two-year contract with Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Within the next 48 hours, Bettinelli is set to undergo his medication and put paper on paper to become Chelsea’s first signing of the summer.
Interestingly, Chelsea have been fans of Bettinelli for a long time. The Blues first chased him in 2015 but failed to convince him to take a seat on their bench, but things have changed and Bettinelli is now ready for a reserve role.
Chelsea chose to resume their quest for Bettinelli as part of their quest to increase their own quota. Using one of the foreign seats at Caballero last season was hardly perfect, but Bettinelli will offer an extra boost to the squad in that regard.
As it stands, he would be Chelsea’s third choice shot, behind Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, but he could be promoted to the first reserve if the latter stops leaving the club.
The world’s most expensive goalkeeper, Kepa spent last season on the bench after a bad season 2019/20, and keeping such an expensive player on the edge of the first team does not really work for anyone.
“I hope people will get to know me – really know me – as a guy who has done everything he can to help his teammates. Because that’s really why I’m here. ”
Goalkeeper @ kepa_46 in his time at Athletic, plays in @ChelseaFC and the League Cup final. Https://t.co/1unRMMQWNs
– The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) July 26, 2021
Kepa has been linked with a move to Lazio to reunite with former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri, while there has also been a preliminary interest from his native Spain.
With the signing of Bettinelli now almost complete, Chelsea may be more willing to push for an exit for Kepa.
