Rennes goalkeeper Édouard Mendy ‘hoping to join’ Chelsea — report

Ligue 1 club Stade Rennais are trying to keep a hold of goalkeeper Édouard Mendy for the 2020-21 season, which has already kicked off in France. They have reportedly rejected at least one Chelsea bid so far, and have made it clear that they consider him “untransferable”.

However, that task may become a lot harder thanks to Mendy’s own desires. According to French newspaper L’Équipe (via Sport Witness), who cite the 28-year-old’s “entourage”, Mendy is “hoping to join” the Blues. L’Equipe also claim that while no “formal offer” has been received, Chelsea’s interest is very much real.

Even if all that is true, this will not be easy. The Senegal international arrived from Stade Reims only a year ago and he still has three years left on his contract, which puts Rennes into a strong position to continue rejecting Chelsea’s approaches — or to keep asking for higher and higher transfer fees.

The question then becomes, just how desperate we are to sign a new goalkeeper. Technical director advisor Petr Čech hinted that while we’re “not giving up” on Kepa, we’re in the market for some proper competition in the squad for him. Mendy would certainly fit that bill, unless the bill to get him starts running too high.