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.

Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel has fueled speculation about his future with an emotional gesture following his team’s Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava. The young star has been linked with a potential move to the Premier League, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham all reportedly interested.

Transfer Talks Intensify

With just days remaining in the January transfer window, discussions are ongoing regarding Tel’s next move. Chelsea is reportedly pushing for a permanent deal, whereas Manchester United prefers a loan arrangement.

Tel, who has seen limited playing time in recent weeks, was included in Bayern’s starting lineup on Wednesday for the first time since November. After being benched in Bundesliga victories against Wolfsburg and SC Freiburg, as well as Bayern’s Champions League defeat to Feyenoord, he got a rare opportunity to start.

The 18-year-old played 62 minutes before being substituted for Kingsley Coman. With Bayern’s final match before the transfer deadline set for Saturday against Holstein Kiel, many believe this may have been Tel’s last appearance for the German giants.

Emotional Farewell?

Following Bayern’s 3-1 triumph, a video circulating on social media captured Tel engaging warmly with the fans. He approached supporters, applauded them, and even gifted a lucky fan his training coat. He also took pictures and shook hands with several attendees before heading back onto the pitch.

When asked by Sky Germany if this was his final match for Bayern, Tel responded, “I don’t know.” While it could simply be a gesture of appreciation, the ongoing transfer rumors suggest it may have been a farewell.

What’s Next?

As the transfer deadline nears, Tel’s future remains uncertain. With multiple Premier League clubs in the race, fans eagerly await Bayern’s decision on whether to let their young talent leave. Will Manchester United secure a deal, or will Chelsea win the race for his signature? The coming days will be crucial in determining the next chapter of Mathys Tel’s career.