Chelsea have made an offer for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Brighton are yet to respond to the bid but discussions remain ongoing.
Sanchez, who lost his place to Jason Steele in March, was not included in Brighton’s squad for their pre-season tour of the United States with his future in doubt.
Brighton have further bolstered the goalkeeping position this summer by signing Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht in a €19million (£16.3m) deal.
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Chelsea are looking to add depth in their own goalkeeper department after Edouard Mendy departed for Al Ahli this summer.
Sanchez featured 23 times in the Premier League last season before dropping out of the starting XI in March. Robert De Zerbi said at the time that he felt Steele was better suited to his preferred style of playing out from the back.
The 25-year-old requested to be left out of several Brighton squads towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign after being replaced by Steele as No 1.
Sanchez has two years remaining on his Brighton contract.
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Andy Naylor took a close look at why Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi dispensed with Robert Sanchez in favour of Luke Steele back in March. You can read the full analysis here.
“De Zerbi said Steele is better suited to his precise style of building from the back than Sanchez.
“The head coach’s game plan hinges on luring the opposition forward to play around their press, with his goalkeeper a key trigger.
“Steele’s decision-making and intelligence with the ball at his feet give him an edge over Sanchez.
“The 25-year-old Spain international is not poor in possession, but Steele, 32, is more consistent, particularly when playing shorter passes in tighter spaces. At times, Sanchez looked rushed when playing out from the back, resulting in misplaced passes and turnovers.
“With opponents to combat his style in different ways, De Zerbi’s goalkeeper cannot afford to be a one-trick pony.”
(Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
