Chelsea is apparently preparing to launch a €12m move for Besiktas goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu, with negotiations between the two clubs having already been initiated.
According to a report from Fotomac, Chelsea is interested in acquiring Besiktas goalkeeper Ersin Destanoglu, who is 20 years old, and have already begun negotiations with the Turkish club about a possible transfer for the youngster.
Destanoglu began his career at the Bayrampasa youth academy before moving on to the Besiktas development academy in 2013. Over the course of the last decade, the shot-stopper has steadily risen in the eyes of the Turkish national team. Having earned his senior debut in the spring of 2020, he has since established himself as a reliable presence between the posts.
His progress at the Vodafone Arena has not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea apparently showing a strong interest in signing him to a long-term contract
For Besiktas, Destanoglu has made 58 appearances in all competitions, recording 21 clean sheets in the process. Last season, the 20-year-old contributed to the team’s victories in the Turkish Super Lig and the Turkish Cup. His progress at the Vodafone Arena has not gone unnoticed, with Chelsea apparently showing a strong interest in signing him to a long-term contract.
Blues goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was signed by the club last summer as a third-choice behind Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Bettinelli joined the club as a third-choice after Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga. Kepa has regained his confidence after a couple of seasons marred by difficulties at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea has one of the best goalkeepers in Europe in Mendy, who is now in fine form.
However, the world’s most expensive goalkeeper continues to lag behind the Senegalese international in the pecking order and may choose to leave the club in the near future in order to improve his chances of making the Spanish national team for the FIFA World Cup in Russia next year. There is no lack of interest in the former Athletic Bilbao star, with Juventus particularly interested in bringing him to Italy.
Chelsea have already begun discussions with Besiktas about a prospective transfer
According to certain reports, Chelsea has even received a formal inquiry from Lazio about Kepa’s availability for the club. With his current predicament, it’s possible that the Blues are preparing for the possibility that the Spaniard may go in quest of regular first-team football by considering a transfer for Destanoglu in the near future.
In accordance with the report, Chelsea has already begun discussions with Besiktas about a prospective transfer. Claude Makelele, a former Blues player and current youth coach, is serving as a point of contact in these discussions, having talked with the Turkish club’s manager, Sergen Yalcin. It has even been reported that the west London giants are preparing a bid for the 20-year-old that would be worth about €12m.
It will be fascinating to see whether this results in Destanoglu relocating to England and if so if this signals the end of Kepa’s tumultuous time at Stamford Bridge as a result of this.
