CHELSEA have been told they must match Jan Oblak’s £109million release clause if they want to sign the Atletico Madrid keeper, according to reports.
Blues boss Frank Lampard is weighing up landing a new No1 to replace £71.6m Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer.
Oblak will cost Chelsea a cool £109m if they want to sign him
Oblak, 27, is considered one of the best keepers in the business and remains at the top of Chelsea’s shortlist.
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According to the Daily Mail, the Slovenian international would consider a move to the Premier League having grown unsettled at Atletico.
He wants a switch to a more ambitious club after his side finished 17 points behind rivals Real Madrid in the title race.
Last week Diego Simeone’s assistant German Burgos revealed Chelsea’s interest in trying to buy the goalie.
Burgos – who was Atleti’s goalkeeper from 2001 to 2004 – is leaving the club at the end of the season.
He said: “If I only quote one who I would take from Atletico Madrid, it would be bad – I have to name them all.
“Look, the Russian [Roman Abramovich] wants to take Oblak.”
Chelsea could offer Arrizabalaga plus cash to tempt Atletico to sell but it remains unclear whether they’d take the Spaniard.
Manchester United are also interested but are unlikely to make a move with David de Gea and Dean Henderson set to battle it out for the No1 spot.
If a deal for Oblak remains out of the question, then Lampard has other targets in his mind including Barcelona Marc-Ander ter Stegen.
The German has two-years left on his deal at the Nou Camp but talks over an extension appear to have stalled.
England youngster Henderson is also an option as his Sheffield United loan comes to an end.
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He will head back to parent club Manchester United for showdown talks over the club’s plans for him next season.
Blues are even willing to offer him a huge wage increase from £70,000 to £170,000-a-week having initiated contact with the player’s representatives.
Ajax’s Andre Onana has also been rumoured to be on Lampard’s radar in a £27m move although faces competition from Paris Saint-Germain.
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By: Richard Forrester
Title: Chelsea and Man Utd told they must pay Jan Oblak’s £109m release clause to seal transfer from Atletico Madrid
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12200321/chelsea-man-utd-jan-oblaks-109m-transfer-atletico/
Published Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 05:59:54 +0000