Chelsea have opened discussions with French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, as the club plan to keep Thibaut Courtois at Stamford Bridge next season, according to Matt Law of the Telegraph.
Antonio Conte has apparently already persuaded the Belgian shot-stopper to remain in West London ahead of next season, putting to bed any fear of a departure.
The report goes on to suggest that, by keeping Courtois in West London, it forces former Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic out of the door because he’s seeking regular playing time. Here comes the interest in Marseille’s Mandanda.
31-year-old Mandanda, who is currently acting as the understudy to Spurs man Hugo Lloris for France in the Euros, is ready to leave the Ligue 1 outfit when his contract expires at the end of the month.
The shot-stopper has already expressed a desire to play his trade in England and has already been linked with a move to Everton, with Ronald Koeman needing to replace the departing Tim Howard.
Mandanda’s experience and price makes him an attractive candidate for Conte’s Chelsea, should Begovic leave as expected – despite the Bosnian squashing those suggestions.
