We all know Chelsea are really desperate to buy a new goalkeeper to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the world record fee they paid for the Spaniard probably makes them reluctant to spend big again.
However, the Blues have been linked with Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak, but he would likely cost even more than Kepa did two seasons ago. Meanwhile, the Blues could instead turn to the man that Goal are reporting is Atletico’s prime target to back up Slovenian Oblak – Marko Dmitrovic.
The Eibar stopper has had a few good seasons in La Liga now, and would be a relatively cheap option considering his €20m release clause.
The good news is that the Serbian only has a year left on his contract, so Eibar may be inclined to sell for less than that clause.
It would be an odd move for Chelsea to sign a 28 year old relative unknown to play in goal – but as a stopgap it could work nicely.
Atletico certainly know how to scout goalkeepers – from Thibaut Courtois to David de Gea to Oblak now – so Chelsea could do a lot worse than signing their targets, rather than trying to sign their stars.
It wouldn’t be the big name some are hoping for, but it might tide us over for a few years while we wait for a better opportunity to come up. It’s certainly worth considering.