Rennes are reportedly eyeing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as they are reportedly resigned to losing Edouard Mendy to Chelsea.
According to a report from French outlet L’equipe, the Ligue 1 side are looking to sign Areola, who just returned from his loan spell at Real Madrid, as a potential replacement for their current first-choice goalkeeper Mendy.
The report added that there is no doubt the 28-year-old will head to Chelsea following contact between the two clubs.
The previous report from the Guardian claimed that Chelsea were preparing a second bid of €20million (£17.9m) after having their first €16m (£14.2m) offer rejected by Rennes.
Both Chelsea technical and performance advisor Petr Cech and goalkeeping department chief Christophe Lollichon have connections with Rennes as a former player and a former goalkeeping coach respectively.
However, it is Lollichon who is reportedly a big fan of Mendy and made the recommendation for the Senegal international.
Cech has hinted at potential new goalkeeper himself in a recent interview, although he also emphasized that Chelsea have not given up on Kepa Arrizabalaga.
He told Sport.cz: “A certain addition to the staff will definitely take place, perhaps even on the goalkeeper post, but all this is being solved.
“However, no one is breaking a stick over Kepa. We all hope for his great future.”
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