Maresca hatches transfer plan to solve Chelsea crisis - but faces Utd problem

Chelsea are lining up a move for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who's also a target for Manchester United.

Enzo Maresca wants to strengthen Chelsea's goalkeeping department, despite the Blues already having eight 'keepers on their books. Current No.1 Robert Sanchez has been at fault for a number of goals this season and although Maresca is publicly backing him, Chelsea's transfer team are actively looking for a replacement.

Kobel, 27, has emerged as their ideal target, although any move is likely to happen in the summer transfer window.The Swiss shot-stopper ticks plenty of boxes on Chelsea's list of criteria, although they could face competition from United.

The Independent claim that the Red Devils have a long-standing interest in Kobel, who's spent four years at Dortmund. It's been reported elsewhere that United boss Ruben Amorim wants to sign a new goalkeeper in 2025 and provide serious competition for Andre Onana, who's had similar issues to Sanchez.

Kobel is under contract and 2028 and Dortmund would prefer not to do business in the midst of what's been a challenging season. BVB recently sacked manager Nuri Sahin six months into the job, with the club still in the bottom half of the Bundesliga table.

Dortmund have managed to qualify for the Champions League knockout play-offs and will face Sporting Lisbon or Club Brugge for the right to play either Aston Villa or Lille in the round of 16. Kobel made an error for Shakhtar Donetsk's only goal on Wednesday but his stock remains high.

Chelsea have already secured one goalkeeper for next season, having agreed a deal to sign highly-rated Belgian prospect Mike Penders from Genk. Meanwhile, Maresca continues to back Sanchez, whose latest error during Saturday's 3-1 loss away to Manchester City proved costly.

"We trust Robert for sure but the first one that is completely aware he is making mistakes in this moment is Robert," the Blues manager said. "For sure, we continue to trust Robert. We trust Robert but now we have one entire week [until the next game], we see the reaction and then we decide for the next game."

United, on the other hand, have been linked with another Belgian 'keeper, Senne Lammens, who plays for Royal Antwerp. Lammens, 22, has reportedly also caught the attention of clubs in the Bundesliga. Like in the case of Kobel, any move would likely have to wait until the summer.