Manchester United and Chelsea set to battle each other for 22-year-old goalkeeper with £87 million release clause - Reports
Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Valencia goalkeeper Giorgio Mamardashvili in the summer.
The Georgian goalkeeper has garnered interest from multiple clubs across Europe due to his performances this season. He has kept seven clean sheets in 31 appearances across competitions for Valencia.
As per Football365, Manchester United and Chelsea are highly interested in signing Mamardashvili.
United manager Erik ten Hag is looking to get good competition for veteran David de Gea. The Spaniard's contract with the Red Devils expires in the summer but he is set to sign a new contract.
Dean Henderson, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, is likely to depart Manchester United in the summer.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are rumored to be likely to part ways with Edouard Mendy in the summer. The Senegalese goalkeeper became second-choice behind Kepa Arrizabalaga following Graham Potter's appointment as manager in September.
Mendy's contract expires in 2025 and he has turned down offers of a new contract from Chelsea.
Hence, both clubs are now looking to sign Mamardashvili in the summer and have spoken to his representatives as well. The Georgia international has a release clause of £87 million.
However, Valencia are currently in a relegation battle in La Liga, just above the drop zone on the head-to-head rule. If they get relegated, Mamardashvili's price could drop.
Manchester United were interested in the 22-year-old goalkeeper last summer as well. Speaking about his future back then, the Valencia No. 1 said:
“I have a 2+1 contract with Valencia and I’m happy. I really like Valencia as a city, I like the people.”
When asked about United's interest, Mamardashvili said:
“I see it but now the first thing is Valencia. Then we’ll see. It is very important for me to be happy and I am happy, I like the team, I like the city.”
Mamardashvili came into Valencia's first team in 2021 following injuries to Jasper Cillessen and Jaume Domenech. He has kept 16 clean sheets in 52 senior appearances for the club.
Manchester United and Chelsea's next 3 fixtures
Chelsea recently announced Frank Lampard's return to the club as interim manager for the rest of the season following Graham Potter's sacking last week.
His first game in charge of the club will be against Wolverhampton Wanderers away in the Premier League on April 8. Chelsea will then face Real Madrid away in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash.
The Blues will follow that up by hosting Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on April 15.
Manchester United, meanwhile, will welcome Everton to Old Trafford in the league on April 8. They will then host Sevilla in their UEFA Europa League quarter-finals first-leg clash on April 13.
The Red Devils will go on to face Nottingham Forest away in the league on April 16.