Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak has not ruled out a possible summer transfer to Chelsea but says he will only think about his future after the Champions League.
Frank Lampard has already lost faith in club-record signing Kepa Arrizabalaga after a series of mistakes and poor performances this season, even dropping him at the end of the campaign in favour of Willy Caballero.
Signing a new goalkeeper is a top priority for the blues, with Oblak seen as the club’s number one target – though the Spanish side have no desire to sell the shot-stopper.
Oblak is currently preparing for Thursday’s Champions League quarter-final clash against RB Leipzig and, when asked about the transfer rumours, insisted he was focused solely on the upcoming match.
When quizzed about reports linking him with Chelsea – and suggestions he would consider an exit, Oblak told AS: ‘This is not the time for that, now it’s Leipzig.
‘I’ll look back at the season when the last game is over, and hopefully we’ll have three more [games to play]. Then there will be time to talk. ‘But first, Leipzig. I’m really looking forward to it.’
Although Atletico have reached the latter parts of the Champions League, they never really competed for the La Liga title and finished 17 points behind champions Real Madrid, with Oblak not happy with the campaign.
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Asked why his aspirations at the club have not been fulfilled, Oblak said: ‘There is the goal of the club and its needs [qualifying for the Champions League] and then there is what I had in my head, my hope.
‘This was to compete more with Barca and [Real] Madrid until the end of the season, but it couldn’t be. The club’s target was met, but my hopes weren’t.’
Despite Oblak appearing to have some concerns about the club’s season, and their level of ambition, Atletico’s president, Enrique Cerezo, is still convinced he will stay.
Asked if he was concerned by the rumours surrounding the keeper, Cerezo said: ‘Worried? No. No way. I am convinced that Jan Oblak will continue to play at Atletico.’
