{"id":16464,"date":"2026-07-11T18:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T18:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=16464"},"modified":"2026-07-11T18:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T18:03:08","slug":"chelsea-have-just-suddenly-put-55m-player-at-the-centre-of-their-summer-transfer-plans-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=16464","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea have just suddenly put \u00a355m player at the centre of their summer transfer plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-376936\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Chelsea have determined that a goalkeeper is now an essential signing this summer, and The Chelsea Chronicle understands the club have made Diogo Costa their number one transfer target.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Blues are currently set to go into the 2026\/27 season with Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders as their goalkeepers, after Filip Jorgensen has asked to leave the club.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>Sanchez has had his critics since his move to Stamford Bridge, while Penders remains untested as a Premier League goalkeeper.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"9f9bce51-3ee6-4734-8904-859fef826480\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! \ud83c\udfc6<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso graphic\" class=\"wp-image-376350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/Xabi-Alonso.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty\">Credit: Alexander Hassenstein\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-put-diogo-costa-at-top-of-their-transfer-list\">Chelsea put Diogo Costa at top of their transfer list<\/h2>\n<p>Costa has been a long-term target of Chelsea following his excellent showings for Porto, and his stock has only increased following his performances at the World Cup.<\/p>\n<p>A goalkeeper was not originally seen as a priority target for the Blues following Xabi Alonso\u2019s hiring, although <strong>The Chelsea Chronicle<\/strong> understands that there has been a change of heart this summer.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"SOCCER: JUL 06 FIFA World Cup 26 Round of 16 - Spain v Portugal\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-1140x760.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2284976302-750x500.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"ARLINGTON, TX - July 06: Portugal goalkeeper Diogo Costa (#1) talks to a teammate after making a save during the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Spain and Portugal on July 6, 2026 at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by  Matthew Visinsky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)\">Photo by  Matthew Visinsky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Transfer insider Ekrem Konur has told us that the Blues have now placed Costa as a top target this summer, with them ahead of PSG in the race to sign him.<\/p>\n<p>He said: \u201cChelsea have placed Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa at the center of their summer transfer window plans to reshape their goalkeeping options. The Stamford Bridge side has designated Costa as their number one target. While no formal bid has been submitted yet, London officials are preparing to take concrete steps to secure his signature this summer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPorto are highly reluctant to lose their Portuguese international, viewing him as a key pillar of their project. Sources suggest that Porto are pointing directly to his\u00a0\u20ac60 million release clause. While this is a significant financial investment for Chelsea, the internal consensus at Stamford Bridge is that signing a world-class goalkeeper is essential to return to the top of the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChelsea are not alone in their admiration. Paris Saint-Germain are also closely monitoring Costa as they look to reinforce their own goalkeeping department. However, at this stage, Chelsea are the club with the most concrete plan and view this transfer as a top priority. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Diogo Costa saga is shaping up to be one of the most critical goalkeeper movements of the summer window. Porto\u2019s firm stance on the release clause, Chelsea\u2019s financial backing, and PSG\u2019s potential counter-move will ultimately determine the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"79ff1b42-ec7d-4415-b21e-484d10b6b800\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Enzo Fernandez needs to leave Chelsea for the good of the club \ud83d\udc4b\ud83c\udffb<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Thoughts?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Enzo Fernandez's agent on his future at Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-375899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea FC greets Marc Cucurella during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD5 match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on November 25, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Dennis Agyeman \/ Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)\">Photo by Dennis Agyeman \/ European Press Sports via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-costa-would-be-significant-upgrade-on-robert-sanchez\">Costa would be significant upgrade on Robert Sanchez<\/h2>\n<p>Chelsea are having to sell big this summer due to having no European football on offer this season, and have already started well with the departures of Marc Cucurella, Tyrique George and Andrey Santos.<\/p>\n<p>Goalkeeper has been an area of weakness despite Sanchez\u2019s improved performances last season. In 2024\/25, no shot stoppeR made more errors leading to goals than the Spaniard.<\/p>\n<p>Costa would also bring to the club a goalkeeper who is confident with the ball at his feet, something which is important in Alonso\u2019s typical style of play.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-have-just-suddenly-put-55m-player-at-the-centre-of-their-summer-transfer-plansutm_campaignekrem\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Chelsea have just suddenly put \u00a355m player at the centre of their summer transfer plans',content_category:'News',content_ids:(376936,\"diogo-costa\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Chelsea have determined that a goalkeeper is now an&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15975,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16464","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16464","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16464\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15975"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}