According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have a deal in place for young Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders.
Last month, the Blues signed Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal and have seven goalkeepers listed in their first-team squad including last season’s No.1 Robert Sanchez and Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is back after a year on loan at Real Madrid. Despite the presence of several shot-stoppers at the club, they have now struck an agreement for another player in that position.
On his official X account, Fabrizio Romano claims that Chelsea have agreed to a full package of up to €20m with add-ons included with Genk for Mike Penders. The young goalkeeper will sign a long-term contract at Stamford Bridge and will then head back to Genk on loan for the 2024/25 season.
“Mike Penders to Chelsea, here we go! Deal in place for 2005 born goalkeeper to join the club from Genk,” Romano tweeted.
“Package up to €20m add-ons included, long term deal. Chelsea see huge potential in Penders. He’s staying at Genk for season 24/25, heading to London next June.”
Penders will become Chelsea’s 10th summer signing under new head coach Enzo Maresca, with Spanish striker Samu Omorodion expected to join in a £34.5m from Atletico Madrid after the final against France in the Paris Olympics.
As far as Penders is concerned, he moved to Genk in 2018 after spending time at Boorsem Sport and Bregel Sport. Having excelled at the club’s reserve side Jong Genk, where he became the skipper and made 34 appearances, the goalkeeper was promoted to the senior side this term. The teenager made his first-team debut in a 0–0 Belgian Pro League tie with Standard Liege back in July this year, becoming the third-youngest goalkeeper to play in the division.
The competition among Chelsea’s goalkeeping unit is intense as Enzo Maresca has Sanchez, Jorgensen, Kepa, Djordje Petrovic and now Penders. While Penders will spend the upcoming season on loan with Genk before heading to Stamford Bridge next June, the number of goalkeepers currently on the club’s ranks means there could be an exit or two before the transfer window’s August 30 deadline.
Kepa is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is expected to be cashed in having entered the final year of his contract (Transfermarkt), while Petrovic may decide to go out on loan after seemingly moving down the pecking order following the capture of Jorgensen.
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Keeping everything in mind, Chelsea have done good business by signing Penders from Genk, securing the goalkeeping department for the long run. He is a talented goalkeeper who is highly rated in Belgium as well as by the Chelsea officials, thus the swiftness to wrap up a deal.
