Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Chelsea 'consider surprise MLS raid' for Man Utd target to tick Mauricio Pochettino box
Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing a Major League Soccer star before the end of the transfer window.
Chelsea are considering a surprise raid on the MLS as Mauricio Pochettino attempts to resolve his biggest transfer need. The departure of Kepa Arrizabalaga has left to the Blues in need of signing another goalkeeper and an unfamiliar name to many is on their radar, per reports.
Kepa completed a loan move to Real Madrid on Monday. The anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Thibaut Courtois saw Los Blancos head into the market to look for a short-term replacement.
Kepa was likely to remain Chelsea's No 1 this season until Real came in for his signature. Pochettino has already signed a goalkeeper in this window, bringing in Robert Sanchez from Brighton for £25million to replace the departed Edouard Mendy.
Sanchez started Sunday's 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Youngster Lucas Bergstrom was his deputy but the 20-year-old is yet to make a senior appearance for Chelsea.
As Marcus Bettinelli continues to recover from a long-term injury, Pochettino is looking for more experienced back-up to Sanchez. And the Telegraph reports that New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic is on Chelsea's radar.
Petrovic is a Serbia international and has played for the Revs since joining in April 2022, replacing the Arsenal-bound Matt Turner. He has played 48 times for the MLS side, keeping 15 clean sheets.
Petrovic has a contract until 2025 with his club having the option to extend the deal by a further year. Chelsea are not the only English club to have shown an interest in Petrovic.
Don't miss...
Liverpool's £65m transfer error has given themselves big Cheick Doucoure problem [COMMENT]
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag gets ruthless again as two players told to leave [GOSSIP]
Man Utd confirm triple arrival in squad list as duo snapped up from Man City [NEWS]
The Manchester Evening News claimed in June that Manchester United were keeping an eye on his progress. Erik ten Hag has since signed Andre Onana as his No 1 but could go back into the market for another keeper.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid don't have an option included in Kepa's deal to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer. But the 28-year-old would be keen on staying at the Bernabeu.
"I hope so," he said. "Today is the first day of my loan. We have time, we will see. Hopefully, with my performance, I can make that happen.
"Today is one of the most important and special days of my career. When I got the proposal from Madrid it was clear to me. The decision was very easy. I had other proposals from important clubs, but when I was told about this option, everything was very quick."