Chelsea Plans to Tackle Major Weakness in January with Impressive Bid: Report

This season, Chelsea has been soaring under the management of Enzo Maresca, with a potential Premier League title challenge now in sight.

However, one issue has remained persistent within the Chelsea starting lineup. Despite the substantial amount of money invested, the club has struggled to identify the right goalkeeper to position them as serious trophy contenders. While Robert Sanchez has been the preferred No.1 of the eight goalkeepers utilized at the start of the 2024/25 season, errors from the Spaniard suggest that an upgrade might be necessary.

It appears that Chelsea’s recruitment team has identified the perfect replacement for Sanchez, as the club is preparing to make a significant bid during the January transfer window.

Chelsea pursuing top goalkeeper Gregor Kobel

According to the German outlet Bild, Chelsea is eager to acquire Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as soon as possible, although they may need to wait until the summer to finalize a deal.

The report indicates that the Swiss goalkeeper will command a fee of at least £58m to secure his transfer from the Westfalenstadion, with him reportedly open to a move as Dortmund struggles in the Bundesliga and risks missing out on Champions League football next season.

Although Transfermarkt values Kobel at £35m, the fact that his contract runs for another three-and-a-half years explains why Dortmund’s asking price is significantly higher. He signed that extension in October 2023, but with another season likely to end in disappointment, Kobel is eager for success elsewhere.

Kobel would fit seamlessly into Chelsea’s squad as well. Not only is he impressively agile in making saves and preventing goals, but he is also relatively adept with the ball at his feet and capable of executing a high line due to his large stature.

According to FourFourTwo, a top-notch goalkeeper is precisely what Chelsea needs to narrow the gap with the elite teams in the Premier League and Europe, with Kobel being an ideal candidate.

The report is credible, and while the price tag may appear steep, Chelsea has demonstrated in recent years that they are more than willing to pay such fees.