Chelsea and Genk are close to reaching an agreement worth €20m for Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders according to reports.
Enzo Maresca and the squad are currently in America on their pre-season tour and after a difficult start they face games against Club America and Manchester City this week.
The Blues have been busy this summer and as well as a new manager they have made seven summer signings, with the club confirming Filip Jorgensen’s arrival from Villarreal on Tuesday evening.
Chelsea close in on Penders agreement
Chelsea are still thought to be in the market for a striker and have been strongly linked with Victor Osimhen again this week, whilst it’s thought they could still move for a winger if the right opportunity presents itself.
However, it’s unlikely that anyone would have expected the club to sign another goalkeeper, yet that’s seemingly what’s about to happen.
HLN Sport have reported that the Blues are close to reaching an agreement worth €20m with Belgian side Genk for Penders, who is 19 years old.
The report adds the deal, which will see Penders spend another season back on loan at Genk will contain a sell on clause, and he’s set to sign a long term contract in London.
Penders, who has made just one senior appearance for Genk kept a clean sheet in the goalless draw against Standard, and if the deal goes through it would see him become the most expensive goalkeeper in Belgium surpassing Bart Verbruggen who joined Brighton from Anderlecht last summer.
The keeper has been likened by some to former Blue Thibaut Courtois, but quite why Chelsea feel they need another keeper given the amount they have on the books doesn’t make sense.
The Blues already have a young goalkeeper for the future in Gabriel Slonina and are currently trying to offload Kepa Arrizabalaga, whilst one of Robert Sanchez or Djordje Petrovic needs to leave following the arrival of Jorgensen.
In any case it’s unlikely Penders will feature for the club anytime soon and it’s hard not to feel he won’t just become another player who has been purchased just to be sold on for a profit down the line.
