Chelsea have forced some much-needed competition upon error-prone Kepa Arrizablaga for first-choice goalkeeping duties at the club.
The Blues confirmed a transfer for Edouard Mendy on Wednesday. He moves to Stamford Bridge from Ligue 1 darlings Rennes on a five-year deal for a £22-million fee, according to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg.
"I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff. I look forward to meeting my teammates and can’t wait to get started," Mendy said.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard banished world-record £71.6-million Kepa to the bench last season amid a dire run, and the Spaniard was again the target of criticism after conceding a poor goal in a 3-1 win over Brighton, and gifting Liverpool a goal in a 2-0 defeat.
Mendy, 28, becomes Chelsea's latest addition during a summer when the west London lot have paid more than £200 million for the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and Ben Chilwell. It's understood Petr Cech, the former Chelsea 'keeper and current technical and performance advisor, selected him as a potential target.
Chelsea first approached Rennes about the eight-time capped Senegalese international's services last month, and had a £14.2-million bid reportedly rejected by Les Rouges et Noirs before being told to return with an improved £18.2-million plus add-ons offer.
Rennes reportedly tried to have Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud included in negotiations, while Blues defender Fiyako Tomori has also been linked with a move to Brittany ahead of the club's debut in the Champions League.
