Chelsea target Ugurcan Cakir to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga
According to the Turkish radio station Radyospor (h/t Express), Chelsea have identified Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir as a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Spanish shot-stopper joined the club for a world-record fee in the summer of 2018. The 25-year-old has failed to live up to expectations and has endured a difficult season at the bridge.
His future was called into question after Frank Lampard dropped him to the bench in favour of reserve keeper Willy Caballero. Although he won his position back after a few fine performances, his future at the club is far from clear.
Ajax’s Andre Onana, AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester United star Dean Henderson, Burnley’s Nick Pope, and Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer have all been touted as potential replacements. Turkish star Cakir is the latest to be added to this list. (h/t Express)
However, competition for the player is high, with a number of Premier League sides also keeping tabs. According to the report, this includes Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leicester City apart from the Spanish side Sevilla.
Former Trabzonspor player Lemi Celik believes Chelsea are leading the race for the player. This amounts from the belief that only the Blues are willing to meet his asking price.
The 24-year-old has played a key role in Trabzonspor’s title challenge this season and has missed just one match in the Turkish top-flight. Trabzonspor are currently joint-top of the table alongside Istanbul Basaksehir.
Cakir also has two caps for Turkey, which should make him eligible for a UK work permit.
According to an earlier report by Fotospor (h/t Express), former Chelsea assistant manager Eddie Newton was providing the Blues with key updates regarding the player.
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Chelsea have been proactive in their approach to the summer transfer window. Hakim Ziyech has already been signed while Timo Werner has also agreed on a deal in principle. (h/t Express)
With the club also chasing Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz, good times could be back at the Bridge sooner than later.