Chelsea are set to sign goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli in the next 48 hours after beating Aston Villa to his signature.
The London side wanted a new goalkeeper to provide solid backup to first-choice Edouard Mendy and competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Bettinelli’s contract at Fulham expired this summer, leaving him available to join any club for free.
Aston Villa wanted Bettinelli to replace Tom Heaton – who joined Manchester United this summer – in their goalkeeping ranks but he favoured a move to Chelsea.
And according to the Daily Mail, the goalkeeper is set for a medical and will move to Stamford Bridge in the next 48 hours.
A goalkeeper was high on Chelsea’s priority list after the exit of Willy Caballero last month and he will also add to the club’s homegrown contingent.
Bettinelli spent last campaign on loan at Middlesbrough, playing 41 matches in the Championship as his club finished 10th. And he has previously been part of an England squad, with Southgate calling him up in the 2017/18 season.
