Chelsea reach agreement with Brighton for new goalkeeper as Pochettino gets competition for Kepa

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

According to The Athletic, the Spanish international is now expected to undergo a medical imminently.

The 25-year-old will add competition for current No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga after Edouard Mendy departed for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in June.

The move will also see him re-join goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts whom he worked with at Brighton.

Sanchez, who lost his place to Jason Steele in March, was not included in Brighton’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States with his future in doubt.

Sanchez agreed personal terms with Chelsea last week as the Blues sought to agree a fee with the Seagulls.

Chelsea’s ongoing negotiations with Brighton to sign Moises Caicedo did not prove to be a stumbling block as initially feared.

The Seagulls rejected an £80m bid from the Blues as they are adamant about getting £100m+ for the midfielder.

After Mendy left for Saudi Arabia this summer with youngster Gabriel Slonina set to play for Belgian side KAS Eupen for the entirety of the coming season, Chelsea needed another goalkeeper.

As a result, Mauricio Pochettino was left with only Marcus Bettineilli as a senior backup option to Kepa. Hence, it made sense to push for a deal to sign Sanchez. 

The Spanish keeper has been at Brighton since the age of 15 but fell out of favour with Roberto De Zerbi last season.