Chelsea are reportedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Athletico Paranaense goalkeeper Bento.
Despite the money that has been shelled out by co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea are yet to have an established goalkeeper under their ownership.
Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga shared game time during 2022-23, while Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic have also made regular appearances at various points during the current campaign.
While Petrovic is currently regarded as first choice, Sanchez held the spot before he was injured in December, the Spaniard having only recently come back into the fold.
Come the summer, it is plausible that Chelsea will have four senior stoppers on their books - Arrizabalaga is due to return from his loan stint with Real Madrid and Gabriel Slonina may come into contention after a year with Belgian side Eupen.
© Reuters
How will the situation be resolved?
With a year left on his contract, Arrizabalaga will realistically be sold, potentially for a cut-price fee in order to get his wages off the club's outgoings, like they have been during 2023-24.
Slonina may go back out on loan, the American still just 19 years of age, but it remains to be seen how Chelsea and Pochettino - providing that he stays in his job as head coach - will use Petrovic and Sanchez going forward if an alternative is sought.
According to Globo, the West Londoners hold an interest in securing the signing of Bento when business reopens in June.
The 24-year-old was a relative unknown to Europe until the recent international break when he made his debut for Brazil, keeping a clean sheet against England at Wembley Stadium in a game that his nation won by a 1-0 scoreline.
© Reuters
There is little prospect of Bento replacing the likes of Alisson Becker and Ederson in the long term at this stage, yet his seamless transition onto the international stage after spending the first part of his career in his homeland did not go unnoticed.
Bento has proven himself across four seasons with Athletico Paranaense, making a total of 150 appearances and winning three pieces of silverware.
Who else is interested?
As per the report, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Inter Milan and Benfica are also monitoring the situation in the hope of negotiating a deal.
Athletico remain in a strong position to retain Bento's services courtesy of the goalkeeper having a contract until the end of 2026.
Furacao's hierarchy would allegedly demand in excess of €15m (£12.9m) should any clubs express an interest in a player who is now viewed as one of their most prized assets.
