Brighton’s busy summer looks set to continue with the future of two key players set to be confirmed.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez could be on the verge of leaving Brighton, having fallen out of favour under Roberto De Zerbi. According to the Daily Mail’s Transfer Confidential report, Chelsea want to take Sanchez on, but are yet to agree a fee with Brighton.
The Italian coach will be keen to get the player’s £25,000-a-week wages off the books, and a move to Stamford Bridge would certainly suit the Spaniard.
Sanchez is a quality ‘keeper, but is out in the cold at the Amex Stadium. For his own sake, he needs a move to get his career back on track. Brighton will want to get the best price they can for the 25-year-old.
However, if the south coast club were hoping that a deal with Chelsea for Sanchez could help facilitate their move for Blues defender Levi Colwill they will be bitterly disappointed. Despite being one of Brighton’s key targets, having flourished with the club on loan last season, he is set to sign a new long-term contract with Mauricio Pochettino’s side, as per The Athletic.
Brighton’s plan for life without Sanchez
Relationships between Brighton and Chelsea will likely be strained this summer, as there is also the long-running Moises Caicedo saga bubbling away between the two clubs.
One key question that remains is how Brighton intend to cope without Sanchez in the long term. Jason Steele was brought into the starting XI in his place last season, but whether the 32-year-old can make the position his own for good remains to be seen.
The recent £16.3 million signing of Bart Verbruggen suggests that Steele will have to scrap for his place in order to avoid reverting back to being a back up option for De Zerbi.