Chelsea close in on £21million goalkeeper transfer as Enzo Maresca sets new criteria for No1
CHELSEA are closing in on a deal to sign Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
The Blues are in advanced talks with the Spanish club, who are holding out for £21million for the 22-year-old.
New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is keen to add a new goalkeeper who is adept with the ball at his feet.
Despite only signing a new deal with Villarreal last month, Jorgensen – who was born in Sweden but represents Denmark – is keen on a move to Chelsea with personal terms all but agreed.
Jorgensen’s arrival may mean that Serbian Djordje Petrovic is sold just a year after he arrived at Stamford Bridge.
The keeper has not travelled to the US with Chelsea due to a minor injury but is expected to join up with the squad at some stage.
Maresca also has Robert Sanchez, who has made his case to be number one, and Kepa Arrizabalaga in his squad though the latter is hopeful of returning to Real Madrid after a year on loan.
Sanchez has been training with the squad in California and is confident he can adapt to Maresca’s style.
He said: “I am training hard to get that position. I’ll get some minutes and we’ll go from there…
“I always think playing with my feet is my game.
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“I feel really comfortable with what he wants. He has explained what he wants from me and I’ve been doing it in training, and it’s looking really good at the moment.
“I know what I can bring to the team. I am positive. It’s a totally different style.
“The goalkeeper here needs to ‘have a pair’ and show a bit of personality.
“I am the right guy for that. Right now, I’m feeling really confident in training. It’s looking good.”