Atletico Madrid are reportedly adamant that the only way Jan Oblak joins Chelsea this summer is if the Blues trigger his £110 million release clause.

According to a report by Daily Star, Chelsea need to trigger Jan Oblak’s £110 million release clause if they wish to secure his services in the summer transfer window. The Slovenian goalkeeper is open to the prospect of leaving Atletico Madrid, but his hefty valuation could force Chelsea to look for alternatives.

Oblak joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in the summer of 2014 and has since gone on to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world. A pivotal player for Los Rojiblancos, the 27-year-old has turned out over 250 times for the Spanish giants, keeping a clean sheet in over half of those games.

However, it looks like the Slovenian international’s time at the Wanda Metropolitano could be reaching its end. Chelsea are taking a keen interest in Oblak, as they look to sort out their issues between the sticks ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Chelsea calling? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Chelsea calling? (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Chelsea signed Kepa Arrizabalaga in the summer of 2018, shelling out a world record sum for a goalkeeper to swoop him away from Athletic Bilbao. However, after just two seasons at Stamford Bridge, Kepa’s future is up in the air, thanks in large part due to his inconsistent performances, although he has often been sold short by his defence as well.

Nevertheless, the fact that Frank Lampard once again reverted to the idea of using Willy Caballero over Kepa towards the end of the Blues’ 2019/20 campaign suggests that the Spaniard might soon become surplus to requirements. As a result, Chelsea need to sign a top class goalkeeper this summer if indeed Kepa is not in Lampard’s plans for next season.

To that end, Chelsea have been linked with a number of goalkeepers in recent months, with Nick Pope also emerging as an option. However, Oblak is the priority for Chelsea, who believe that the 27-year-old is eager to make his way to the Premier League this summer.

Having said that, signing Oblak would be a tardy process, with Atletico Madrid insistent that they will only part ways with their prized possession if his £110 million release clause is triggered. And, this idea does not quite sit right with Chelsea and rightly so, considering they have already spent heavily on other areas of the pitch.

The report does suggest that Chelsea would start looking for alternatives if Atletico Madrid do not budge from their £110 million valuation of the player. What now remains to be seen, though, is whether Chelsea press ahead with their pursuit of Oblak, or if they are forced to turn their attention towards someone else.

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