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Chelsea have made an approach for young Brazilian goalkeeper Gabriel, but face competition from a former boss and a club owned by a footballing legend, according to reports.

The Blues seem to be looking to the future in their goalkeeping department at present. Reports over the weekend said they were eyeing a deal for Charlton youngster James Beadle, who is yet to make his senior debut but is an England youth international.

It appears their search for long-term prospects in goal is not just limited to the UK, though. They have now been linked with Gabriel, who is a Brazil under-17 international.

According to UOL, Chelsea are one of two sides to have made an approach. The other is Real Valladolid in Spain.

An update from AS has also added Jose Mourinho’s Roma into the mix along with Chelsea and Valladolid.

But it is the latter duo who have initiated contact with Gabriel’s representatives, Thiago Rafal and Leo Casula.

Gabriel has a release clause worth €7m in his current contract with Bahia, which runs until 2024. However, an offer is on the table to take 70% of his rights for just €2m in a deal structured differently.

The keeper would have to wait until he either turns 18 or gets a European passport before he can move to a new continent. He is close to getting an Italian passport, AS coincidentally claim.

By the time he is eligible for a transfer, the number of clubs interested in him may have increased. He has already trained with Bahia’s under-23 side and first team, so seems to be progressing well.

Valladolid, owned by former Brazil forward Ronaldo, have shown an interest for the longest period of time. But Chelsea are always keen to bolster their youth ranks and could step up their own interest.

At present, there is little need for them to find a new first-team goalkeeper. Edouard Mendy has established himself as one of the best in the world, despite being overlooked for the Ballon d’Or shortlist.

Mendy’s reserve is Kepa Arrizabalaga, who remains the most expensive keeper of all time. However, the Spaniard may be looking to move somewhere he can be a first choice in 2022.

Chelsea will have to address that issue as and when it comes up. For now, they are comfortable in the department behind the defence.

But to maintain long-term success, they always need to keep an eye to the future, which seems to be exactly what they are doing.

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Chelsea in contract standoff

Meanwhile, Chelsea have hit a roadblock in negotiations with one of their current players.

They are reportedly in a standoff with Andreas Christensen over his future. The centre-back has revived his career since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel in January.

However, he is out of contract at the end of the season and could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs from New Years’ Day onwards.

Chelsea have been working to renew his deal in order to allay those fears. But according to Goal, there has been no contact with his agents for two months.

Christensen wants to be rewarded for his upturn in form with an appropriate payrise. But he could still be one of the lower earners in the squad, which is not to his liking.

It remains to be seen when talks may resume, but there is clearly plenty on the agenda for Marina Granovskaia and the rest of the Chelsea board.

READ MORE: PSG star ‘honoured’ after club rejected Chelsea proposal in the summer

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