Chelsea ‘dream’ of €120m star to solve key problem after Liverpool heroics

Jan Oblak would be Chelsea’s dream addition as they consider signing a new goalkeeper in the summer, reports in Spain claim.

Kepa Arrizabalaga has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard this season, playing in just two of Chelsea’s last eight games in all competitions.

Despite being an €80m investment just two years ago, Kepa’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge is already under threat, with the Blues hierarchy concerned about his re-sale value plummeting if Lampard keeps him on the bench when football resumes, provisionally in April.

With Kepa potentially on the way out this summer, thoughts have already turned to who might replace him, with Ajax star Andre Onana tipped to follow teammate Hakim Ziyech in making the move to Stamford Bridge as one suggestion.

However, AS (via the Metro) claim that Chelsea have another dream, with Atletico Madrid star Oblak high on their agenda.

Oblak is widely considered to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, and impressed in both legs of Atletico’s Champions League win over Liverpool – a club he could have joined in the past, according to the report.

At 27 years old, the Slovenian is still entering his prime, and Lampard has reportedly told the Chelsea board to pursue a summer move for him.

Oblak remains under contract at the Wanda Metropolitano until 2023, and with a €120m release clause, it is likely any fee paid for him would surpass the sum they spent on Kepa, which remains the world record for a goalkeeper.

Lampard recently admitted he had seen a lot of ‘false’ reports about Kepa, but maintained that Willy Caballero remained an option for the rest of the season.

“Every time I see a Chelsea player put on the shirt,” he said, “they are in control of their own destiny somewhat individually. You can’t always control collectively the result.

“All I am focusing on is game by game to get the best finish to the season that we can possibly get.

“Then, of course, there are decisions for the club ongoing in the summer, we have to look at that.

“But no way am I jumping forward to the future now and a lot of those reports are wrong.”