Chelsea 'make contact' with La Liga star as Blues eye £34m first summer signing

Chelsea are setting themselves for a transfer battle with Wolves over the Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, while Newcastle United are also said to be giving tabs on the stopper. The 22-year-old keeper could well be the pending new manager Enzo Maresca’s first signing at Stamford Bridge, but the reports make it clear that the Blues will face fierce competition for his signature.

Leicester City boss Maresca, who is set to be announced as the new Blues boss shortly, is said to be wanting a goalkeeper who can be more of a sweeper keeper, making pinpoint passes out from the back. There remain doubts as to whether either Djordje Petrovic or Robert Sanchez can perform that role to a satisfactory level, and while several other names had been floated about, Jorgensen appears to be the latest option.

Following a sensational season in La Liga, Spanish news outlet Relevo have claimed that both the Blues and Wolves have ‘established contact’ in order to assess Jorgensen’s transfer situation. The Magpies are also looking into the possibility of a move for him, but are also eyeing up moves for Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, Burnley’s James Trafford, and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Villarreal are, however, believed to want a high price tag for a player who already has a release clause of €40m (£34m). As Jorgensen also came through the youth ranks at the Villarreal club, they would be set to receive a huge financial boost if he were to be sold this summer. Similarly, with his current contract running out at Villarreal in 2027, the La Liga side are in an exceptionally strong negotiating position.

Born in Sweden, Jorgensen joined the Villarreal set up in 2017 having spent brief stints in the youth sides of Malmo, Santa Catalin and Mallorca to name a few. He made his La Liga debut in January 2023 and has gone on to make 30 league appearances for them, keeping six clean sheets. After representing Sweden at youth level, Jorgensen switched his allegiance and most recently represented Denmark at U21 level. He is yet to make his senior international debut.