Xabi Alonso 'confirms' Chelsea's next transfer

Updated: 30 Aug 2026 14:55 BST | 3 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has seemingly confirmed that Robert Sanchez will leave the club before the end of Transfer Deadline Day on 1 September.

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The Spaniard has been Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper for the vast majority of his three-year spell at Stamford Bridge, but he made a major error during the Blues’ 3-2 win over Fulham on Monday and he has now been replaced by Emiliano Martinez.

The 33-year-old officially joined Chelsea on Sunday morning and he was subsequently named in the starting XI for their clash against Brighton & Hove Albion just hours later, with Mike Penders selected on the substitutes bench.

Current ETV

Robert Sánchez

Chelsea

Robert Sánchez

Chelsea

ETV Range

€13M - €15.9M

Sanchez, meanwhile, was omitted from the matchday squad entirely and it suggests that he has now dropped to third in the pecking order - with an exit before the window closes therefore highly likely.

The Chelsea hierarchy have huge hopes for Penders, 21, and he is expected to eventually replace Martinez as the preferred option in between the sticks at Stamford Bridge in either 2027-28 or 2028-29.

On the other hand, Sanchez’s future now hangs in the balance and it’s expected that Chelsea will look to offload him before Tuesday’s deadline following Alonso’s decision to demote him behind both Martinez and Penders.

© IMAGO - Robert Sanchez is expected to leave Chelsea before the end of Deadline Day

Who else may leave Chelsea before the end of Deadline Day>

In addition to Sanchez, Enzo Fernandez was also left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad for the second fixture in the row. The Argentina midfielder made a late cameo versus Fulham on Monday, but he was omitted against Luton Town in midweek and he was once again left at home on Sunday amid significant transfer interest from Manchester City.

It’s understood that Fernandez has already agreed personal terms with Enzo Maresca’s side, and they are set to lodge a formal offer for his services before the window closes.

If Fernandez is sold, Chelsea are expected to launch a fresh bid for Alex Scott, although Bournemouth currently have zero interest in selling the England midfielder and it will likely take a fee in excess of €100 million to tempt them into a deal.

Adam Wharton and Lamine Camara are also on Chelsea’s radar, with the Blues tipped to pursue the latter if Scott is deemed to be unattainable.

David Datro Fofana, Deivid Washington, Tosin Adarabioyo, Mykhailo Mudryk, Marc Guiu and potentially Dario Essugo may leave Stamford Bridge before the window closes too.