The Blues have been searching for a new shot-stopper to provide cover and competition to No. 1 Kepa Arrizabalaga after selling Edouard Mendy to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli.
Sanchez quickly emerged as Chelsea’s top target for the position and a deal – worth around £25m – has now been agreed with Brighton, according to The Athletic.
It is claimed Sanchez, who made 23 Premier League appearances last season before dropping out of the starting XI, will undergo a medical at Stamford Bridge in the coming days.
The Spain international will become Mauricio Pochettino’s fifth summer signing following Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu and Angelo Gabriel.
But Chelsea are still looking to strengthen Pochettino’s squad further before the transfer deadline closes and want to sign another Brighton player – the Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo.After submitting three unsuccessful bids for Caicedo, Chelsea are considering whether to return with an improved offer or turn their attentions to other midfield targets, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia a possibility.
The Blues, who finished just 12th in the Premier League last season, are also set to welcome Monaco defender Axel Disasi to Stamford Bridge.
Despite the flurry of transfer activity at Chelsea, Pochettino has made it clear he believes more needs to be done to his squad before the start of the new Premier League season.
‘I told you that we need to improve in all the areas,’ Pochettino said after Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture against Borussia Dortmund. ‘I am happy with the midfield but we also need to improve this area.’
Chelsea were unbeaten in Pochettino’s first pre-season at the club and kick-start their 2023-24 campaign on August 13 against Liverpool.
