Chelsea are interested in re-signing one of their former goalkeepers, according to a report.
New manager Enzo Maresca is looking to add to his squad this summer after his arrival as Mauricio Pochettino’s replacement, and could bring a shot stopper in as his second signing after the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham.
The Blues No 1 spot was up for grabs last season, with Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic both enjoying spells in goal in what was a topsy-turvy season for the London club.
According to L’Equipe, they could look to France to improve the position having reportedly avoided breaching Premier League financial rules, with one of their former goalkeepers, who left the club five years ago, on the club’s shortlist.
It is Nice star Marcin Bulka who could be set to re-join the Blues, having spent three years with the club’s academy before he was released as a teenager, going onto play for the likes of PSG and his country, Poland.
Chelsea could be set to make a move to sign a former goalkeeper, according to a report
Robert Sanchez (left) and Djordje Petrovic (second left) both spent time at No 1 last season
Marcin Bulka, who plays for both Nice and Poland, could be set for a return to Stamford Bridge
Bulka, who has become an ever-present with Nice in Ligue 1, never made a first team appearance for Chelsea after arriving in 2016 from FCB Escola Varsovia.
He did however sign professional terms with the club, featuring numerous times for their academy, but departed for France once his contract expired in the summer of 2019.
At PSG, he made two first team appearances, with his three-year stay including loan spells with Cartagena in Spain and Chateauroux in Ligue 2.
In 2021, he joined Nice on loan with an option to buy, featuring regularly the following season in the club’s cup games before the deal was made permanent in the summer.
The now-24-year-old made just two Ligue 1 appearances in his debut season with the club, but was last season a regular and played 37 times for the INEOS-owned club in the league.
Nice’s defensive record was the best in Ligue 1 last season as they finished fifth in the table, conceding just 29 goals, at least four fewer than any other side.
Reports suggest Bulka is looking to quadruple his salary in any deal, and was interested in penning new terms in France towards the end of the season.
It is thought that his current contract sees him earn a little below £11,000-a-week, meaning his wages would not be too costly for the Blues should they add him to their books. Reports suggest Nice only want to triple his current rate.
The Pole, who is set to feature for his country at Euro 2024 this summer, has a deal with Nice running until 2026, with AC Milan also said to be interested in signing him.
The now-24-year-old, who played for the Blues’ academy for three years, left without makign a first team appearance
He would be leaving Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ Nice should he move, with the Red Devils boss reportedly looking to sell the club
Manchester United minority owners INEOS, meanwhile, are looking to sell sister club Nice, according to The Independent.
It is anticipated that both clubs will be given a one-season transition by UEFA to compete in the Europa League, with complications regarding multi-club ownership encouraging Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co to reportedly sell the French side.
Earlier this year INEOS purchased a 27.7 per cent stake in United and they are eager to oversee significant changes at the club.