Chelsea Transfer News Roundup: Blues want new goalkeeper, Tottenham backed to sign Conor Gallagher, and more - July 20, 2024
Chelsea are working to improve their squad before the start of the upcoming campaign. New manager Enzo Maresca has already welcomed multiple new faces to his roster but remains in the market for further additions.
Meanwhile, the Blues are interested in a new goalkeeper. Elsewhere, a former player has backed Tottenham Hotspur to sign Conor Gallagher this summer.
On that note, let's look at the major Chelsea transfer stories from July 20, 2024.
Chelsea want new goalkeeper, says Fabrizio Romano
Chelsea are planning to sign a new goalkeeper this summer, according to acclaimed journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Blues signed Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion last year, but the Spaniard has failed to live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, Kepa Arrizabalaga spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Real Madrid and is keen to return to the Santiago Bernabeu. The Spaniard is no longer part of plans at Stamford Bridge and the club are willing to let him go.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano added that the London giants want a goalkeeper who is good with his feet.
“Chelsea have decided to bring in a new goalkeeper. It’s a really strong and concrete possibility. Why [are they] doing this? Because Chelsea, at the moment, want a new goalkeeper who can play and do [a] good job in distribution. This is the crucial part,” said Romano.
Enzo Maresca is looking to implement his own style of play at Stamford Bridge and needs a goalkeeper who suits his tactics.
Tottenham Hotspur backed to sign Conor Gallagher by former player
Former Tottenham Hotspur right-back Alan Hutton has tipped the club to sign Conor Gallagher this summer. The English midfielder is in the final year of his contract with Chelsea and hasn't signed a new deal yet.
Gallagher was a key figure under Mauricio Pochettino last season, but the Blues are apparently willing to cash in on him this summer. The 24-year-old rose through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, so his departure would be registered as pure profit in the club's books.
Spurs have had their eyes on Gallagher and are among the clubs linked with a move this summer. Ange Postecoglou is apparently a huge fan of the Englishman and wants him in his squad.
Speaking to Tottenham News, Hutton admitted that Gallagher could improve his former side.
"I think he makes Tottenham better. He would give them a different option. Do I think they could get him for £30million? Probably not, I think Chelsea value him at £50million. Could they meet somewhere in the middle? I think they’d be getting an excellent player with experience who was the captain at Chelsea last season and he definitely makes them stronger in the middle of the pitch," said Hutton.
He continued:
“I think he would flourish under Ange Postecoglou with what he’s trying to do at that club so it’s going to be an interesting one. Now that Villa, who I know were interested in him, are going for Amadou Onana, that will probably be dead in the water and that almost leaves Spurs to go and chase after him. I’ve got a feeling he will leave. I didn’t at the start, but I feel that the longer this goes on that he will move somewhere.”
Enzo Maresca has already roped in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from his former club Leicester City, who could be a fine replacement for Gallagher.
Blues not in talks to sign Andriy Lunin
Chelsea are not in talks to sign Andriy Lunin this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has entered the final year of his contract with Real Madrid and hasn't agreed to a new deal yet.
Despite Lunin's heroics last season, the player remains behind Thibaut Courtois in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu. The 25-year-old could be tempted by a new challenge this year and isn't short of options either.
Recent reports have suggested that the Blues have entered the race for his signature. However, Romano has insisted that the La Liga champions are yet to receive an offer from the London giants for the Ukrainian shot-stopper. There have been no discussions regarding Lunin between the two clubs.