7 months ago
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Chelsea are considering a move for Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento though face significant competition from a host of clubs, according to reports.
Over the past two seasons, the shot-stopper has established himself as Athletico’s number one keeper and was handed his debut for Brazil this past week.
With both Alisson and Ederson injured, Bento started against both England – where he kept a clean sheet – and Spain, shipping three goals in the latter match.
According to Globo Esporte, there were a number of European clubs keeping a very close eye on Bento in both matches ahead of a potential summer move.
Inter Milan and Benfica are both keen on the shot-stopper, while Premier League trio Chelsea, Wolves and Nottingham Forest have also been scouting him.
The west Londoners have alternated between Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic this season, though goalkeeper is still a position Chelsea are keen to strengthen.
According to Globo, interest in Bento has ramped up significantly in recent days after his Brazil debut and Athletico will look to cash in – though they will demand a sizeable fee.
They have already rejected an offer of £12.5million from an unnamed club in January, with Benfica offering slightly less, but Athletico feel they can get significantly more now.
The 24-year-old is particularly attractive to European and Italian clubs in particular because he has an Italian passport, making a transfer much easier.
With Alisson and Ederson seven and six years older than Bento respectively, the goalkeeper is in line to inherit the No.1 shirt in the not too distant future and could nail down the role for a long time.
He looked calm and assured against England at Wembley, while two of the three goals he conceded against Spain were from the penalty spot and he gave a good account of himself otherwise.
So far this season for Athletico, Bento has only lost once and conceded just six goals in 11 outings, recording five clean sheets in the process.
Despite flirting with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules, Chelsea are expected to spend big again this summer with Sporting attacker Viktor Gyokeres emerging as their primary target to provide more firepower up top.
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