Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
The Spain international is expected undergo a medical imminently after a fee in the region of £25million ($31.7m) was agreed between the two clubs.
Sanchez will add competition for current No 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga after Edouard Mendy departed for Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli in June.
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The move will also see the 25-year-old re-join goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts whom he worked with at Brighton.
Sanchez, who lost his place to Jason Steele in March, was not included in Brighton’s squad for their pre-season tour of the U.S. with his future in doubt.
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Brighton have already added to their goalkeeping department this summer with the signing of Dutchman Bart Verbruggen from Anderlecht.
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.
He requested to be left out of several Brighton squads towards the end of the 2022-23 campaign after being replaced by Steele as first choice.
Chelsea have signed Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu and Angelo Gabriel this summer with Monaco defender Axel Disasi set to join them.
Tyler Adams of Leeds United is also being considered while talks continue with Brighton over fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo.
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Robert Sanchez was finished at Brighton - a move to Chelsea suits all parties
Why did Sanchez lose Brighton No 1 spot?
Andy Naylor took a close look at why Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi dispensed with Robert Sanchez in favour of Jason 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 trying to combat his style in different ways, De Zerbi’s goalkeeper cannot afford to be a one-trick pony.”
(Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)