Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak has long been linked with Chelsea.
AS on Tuesday explain ‘there were some doubts’ about the 28-year-old’s continuity last summer, but he decided to stay and ‘not listen’ to reports of interest form England.
It’s claimed the custodian’s desire to win silverware with Diego Simeone’s side convinced him to stay in Madrid.
Atlético are in a firm position to win the league and will have to overcome Chelsea to retain hope of winning the Champions League. The La Liga side suffered a 1-0 defeat in the first leg and the return leg in London is scheduled for Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, the clash in London will be ‘special’ for the Slovenian because a ‘good performance’ against Thomas Tuchel’s side ‘would trigger his price and also the rumours about a possible exit’.
Regarding these claims, the outlet state it’s ‘nothing new, since it is usual campaign after campaign’.
AS add Oblak’s name is ‘on the agenda’ of Chelsea and Manchester United, and the two clubs will keep an eye on him during the midweek European tie. An impressive display tomorrow ‘may put him back in the spotlight for the near future’.
Although he has a €120m release clause, AS mention his current market value is €90m.
Keeping the asking price aside, Chelsea would first have to make room in their squad if they are to consider signing Oblak in the next window. This can be done by selling one of Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Mendy and Kepa are the two senior goalkeepers at Tuchel’s disposal, and offloading either of them could not be a simple task since the duo are tied to the club until 2025.
Even if Chelsea manage to make room in their squad, they will have to then convince Atlético [for transfer fee] and Oblak [with their project] to secure the latter’s services.
