Chelsea are reportedly eyeing Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as a potential signing, but they may face stiff competition from Manchester United.

Robert Sanchez’s role as Chelsea’s primary shot-stopper has been questioned in recent weeks due to several costly errors. While manager Enzo Maresca has publicly backed the Spanish goalkeeper, he has not provided assurances about Sanchez’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.

If Chelsea decide to move on from Sanchez next season, they have internal options such as Filip Jorgensen—who joined from Villarreal last summer—and Djordje Petrovic, who has impressed during his loan stint at Strasbourg. Additionally, Belgian prospect Mike Penders is set to join the squad next season to increase competition in the goalkeeping department.

However, The Independent reports that Chelsea could instead opt to bolster their goalkeeping ranks by pursuing Dortmund’s Kobel. While a January move appears unlikely, the club is expected to push for a summer deal for the Swiss international, despite him being contracted to the Bundesliga side until 2028.

Chelsea will not have a free path to signing Kobel, as Manchester United have maintained long-standing interest in the 27-year-old and could also make a move. United are reportedly assessing their goalkeeping situation and may look to upgrade on Andre Onana, though financial constraints could impact their summer transfer plans.

Dortmund are believed to value Kobel between €70m-80m (£58m-66m), making a potential transfer a significant investment for either Premier League club.

Since joining Dortmund from Stuttgart in 2021, Kobel has made 143 appearances across all competitions and has twice been named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

Despite speculation about Onana’s future, former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has expressed confidence in the Cameroonian’s abilities. Speaking to Oddspedia, the Dutch legend backed Onana to establish himself at Old Trafford.

“I think it’s quite early to judge, but Andre [Onana] has a fantastic career ahead of him,” Van der Sar said. “He’s gaining more experience, and he possesses all the qualities a goalkeeper needs. I believe he will continue to improve over the next five to six years.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United are closing in on their first signing under new manager Ruben Amorim, as they finalize a deal to bring highly rated wing-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce before the January transfer window closes.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on the reasoning behind Kobbie Mainoo’s advanced role in their Europa League triumph over FCSB, citing the young midfielder’s defensive challenges.

United continued their dominant European campaign under Amorim, securing their fourth consecutive victory with a 2-0 win over the Romanian side. This result guaranteed them a top-eight finish and a place in the tournament’s last 16.

The breakthrough came in the second half when Diogo Dalot capitalized on a well-delivered low cross from Mainoo, finishing smartly at the back post. Just minutes later, Mainoo himself found the net, latching onto an Alejandro Garnacho cross and slotting home with precision.

Previously deployed as one of the two central midfielders in Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup, the 19-year-old was instead utilized in a more attacking midfield capacity during Thursday’s clash. This shift saw Bruno Fernandes drop deeper into midfield, allowing Mainoo to flourish further up the pitch.

Following the match, Amorim praised Mainoo’s performance, acknowledging that the positional change allowed him greater freedom on the field.

“Kobbie played very well in that position,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “He had more freedom and wasn’t constantly tasked with tracking back.”

Addressing the tactical adjustment further in his post-match press conference, the Portuguese manager explained that Mainoo’s defensive difficulties led to the shift.

“We needed to assess our players and find the right positions for them. Kobbie was struggling defensively in midfield,” Amorim stated. “As a No.10, he had more space and freedom to operate near the penalty area. It’s all part of the process of understanding where each player thrives.”

Assessing his team’s overall performance, Amorim was pleased with their control of the match but noted areas for improvement.

“We dominated possession and dictated the tempo. Of course, the opposition wasn’t at the level of a Premier League side, so we had more time to build our attacks,” he remarked. “We kept a clean sheet, created chances, but we need to be more clinical in front of goal. Rotation was necessary, and we successfully managed our schedule. Overall, it was a positive day for us.”

Mainoo’s performance also caught the attention of former United player Robbie Savage, who encouraged Amorim to keep utilizing him in an advanced midfield role.

“For me, Kobbie Mainoo is best suited as a No.10,” Savage shared on TNT Sports. “He thrives in tight spaces and has great composure on the ball. I don’t see him as a No.6 in this current United setup. The big question is whether he’s creative enough to be a permanent No.10 or defensively strong enough for a deeper role. I think he fits best in a midfield three, but since United doesn’t play that system, he should definitely be pushed further forward. He was outstanding tonight.”

With a quick turnaround, United now shift their focus to their upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace, set to take place just three days after their Europa League success.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has raised concerns over the availability of goalkeeper David Raya for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Manchester City.

Raya was sidelined due to injury on Wednesday as the Gunners secured a 2-1 victory against Girona, ensuring automatic qualification for the Champions League round of 16.

With Raya unavailable, Neto made his first Arsenal appearance after joining on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last September. The 35-year-old had a difficult start, allowing former Tottenham Hotspur forward Arnaut Danjuma to open the scoring for Girona in the 28th minute. However, Arsenal bounced back with a penalty from Jorginho in the 38th minute and a well-placed left-footed goal by teenager Ethan Nwaneri.

Arteta remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Raya’s injury, simply stating: “He certainly could not play and he’s injured and that’s it. We’ll see how it improves.”

When questioned about Neto’s ability to step in long-term, Arteta responded: “Yes, that’s why he’s here—to fulfill that role. He has been doing it for over 20 years in his career.

“I’m very pleased that he got to play. It’s been nearly eight months since his last competitive game, and that’s not easy, so I’m happy that he stepped up, and we secured another win.”

Meanwhile, ESPN reported earlier that Arsenal’s bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was rejected. The deal is further complicated by reports that Al Nassr is closing in on an agreement for Villa forward Jhon Durán. Despite this, Arsenal is considering whether to make an improved offer.

Arteta, when asked about potential transfers, said: “You know, I cannot talk about any of that. My confidence is in the incredible people working at this club to always look for ways to improve. Let’s see what happens.”