Chelsea is considering a €55 million investment in a new goalkeeper, a standout figure for his German club. But the deal won't come easy, as Manchester United also wants to bring him on board.
A basic piece in the schemes of Borussia Dortmund, with which he has played a total of 44 official matches this season, the Swiss Gregor Kobel has managed to make his way onto the agenda of two big Premier League teams: Manchester United and Chelsea.
According to FussballDaten, the interest of the Red Devils responds to the desire to have a goalkeeper who can compete for the starting spot with the Belgian Senne Lammens. That of the Blues, meanwhile, responds to the need to find a goalkeeper who offers more guarantees than Robert Sanchez.
The Londoners consider that the Spaniard has not finished performing at the desired level. In Stamford Bridge, the goalkeeping dilemma has been a lingering headache. Since Sanchez arrived, he has shown flashes of quality but also troubling inconsistency, with shaky distribution and costly errors.
The supporters and management are anxious for a reliable presence between the posts. They crave a keeper who commands the box and exudes calm under pressure, something they feel Sanchez and Jorgensen have not consistently provided. That is why they are hunting for a proven alternative like Kobel, hoping to spark internal competition and elevate the entire position.
The Blues do not want another season of uncertainty; they want a goalkeeper who can be a cornerstone for years, not a temporary fix. Hence, their willingness to explore the market despite the financial demands.
With a contract valid until June 2028, the board of Die Schwarzgelben will not facilitate the departure of the experienced Swiss (28 years). In fact, to consider a transfer, the club will demand a minimum of €55 million, an amount that might dissuade its suitors.
Formed at Grasshopper, the Zurich native passed through TSG Hoffenheim, Augsburg, and Stuttgart before landing at BVB, with which, to date, he has accumulated matches. In addition, he has been capped 20 times with the senior Switzerland national team.
Everything will probably become clear this summer, once the Club World Cup is over. That tournament could be Kobel's big moment to shine, or his suitors' last real chance to push for a deal. Either way, expect the goalkeeper merry-go-round to spin fast once that final whistle blows.
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