Diego Lopez Deal Close, Asmir Begovic to Everton Rumours

Asmir Begovic’s future at Chelsea is in doubt after the club made a move to sign AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez.

Asmir Begovic set to leave Chelsea for Everton

Begovic joined Chelsea from Stoke for £8million just 12 months ago and is the subject of interest from Everton.

Thibaut Courtois will remain first-choice keeper at Stamford Bridge under new coach Antonio Conte according to reports.

Belgium international Courtois has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid but Conte made it clear to him during their first meeting that he wanted him to stay.

Begovic started 21 games for the Blues last season, the majority of which came while Courtois was ruled out for three months with a knee problem.

Unless Courtois suffers similar misfortune, Begovic is set to play far less next term and will be tempted to move elsewhere in order to get first-team football.

Chelsea have already been looking at potential replacements and held talks with Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda, only for him to opt for Crystal Palace because he was told he would be their No.1.

The Blues are now looking at the experienced Lopez, who made only nine appearances for AC Milan  last term after losing his place to teenager Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Lopez, 34, who has also played for Real Madrid, Vilarreal and Sevilla in Spain, will consider a switch to the capital.

His agent, Manuel Garcia Quilon, said: “A deal to Chelsea is yet to be done but the interest is real and concrete.”

Lopez’s arrival will depend on Begovic leaving first, though. The Bosnia international is currently with Chelsea at their training base in Austria and is expected to start against RZ Pellets tonight. However, Courtois will regain his place once he returns from holiday, having been given extended time off after Euro 2016.

Given Begovic still has three years left on his deal, Chelsea will be looking at the £8m they paid Stoke as a minimum for an asking price