Chelsea reject Arsenal’s bid to sign England player ahead of summer

Gidibam Web2 weeks ago

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Arsenal ‘s search for a long-term replacement for goalkeeper David Raya has hit a major roadblock, as Chelsea have reportedly rejected the Gunners’ bid to sign 16-year-old goalkeeper Freddy Bernal.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal offered £1.25 million for the talented young shot-stopper, but Chelsea declined the bid.

“Arsenal have offered Chelsea £1.25m for England U18 goalkeeper Freddy Bernal. Chelsea rejected the bid, clear on their position as they want to keep Bernal. Several other clubs remain interested,” Romano posted on X.

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Bernal has already made a name for himself in Chelsea’s youth academy, earning call-ups to England’s U18 squad and making five appearances in the U18 Premier League. His impressive form has caught the attention of top clubs, and Arsenal’s interest in signing him is no surprise. The Gunners currently lack a backup goalkeeper for next season, with Neto’s loan deal from Bournemouth set to expire, and Bernal’s signing would have helped fill this void.

The rejection of Arsenal’s bid suggests that Chelsea is keen to develop Bernal further in their own academy. With a strong youth setup, the Blues may be looking to nurture Bernal’s talent and potentially develop him into a future first-team player. This would be a significant loss for Arsenal, who were reportedly willing to invest in the young goalkeeper.

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In light of this development, Arsenal may need to look elsewhere to strengthen their goalkeeper options. The Gunners have been linked to Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, who has impressed in La Liga this season. Reports suggest that Arsenal may be willing to pay around £21 million for the keeper, but it remains to be seen whether Garcia would be happy as a backup to David Raya.

With a busy schedule ahead, the Gunners will need to prioritize their recruitment strategy and ensure they have the right players in place to achieve their goals.