It seems the scouts at Stamford Bridge haven’t lost their Brighton speed-dial. As of Friday, February 27, 2026, reports from TEAMtalk and Sports Mole indicate that Chelsea are preparing a massive £50 million bid to sign Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen this summer.
Despite having Robert Sánchez and the highly-rated Mike Penders (currently on loan at Strasbourg) on the books, manager Liam Rosenior is reportedly pushing for a world-class, composed No. 1 to anchor his backline.
The Battle for the Dutchman
Chelsea aren't the only ones circling the Amex Stadium. Verbruggen has become one of the most in-demand goalkeepers in world football following his 26 caps for the Netherlands and his evolution into a top-tier "sweeper-keeper."
Why Verbruggen? The Winstanley Factor
The pursuit is being driven by Chelsea's Co-Sporting Director Paul Winstanley and Head of Global Goalkeeping Ben Roberts.
Internal Approval: Both men held senior roles at Brighton during the scouting process that originally brought Verbruggen to England from Anderlecht. They are reportedly "fully backing" a reunion at Chelsea.
Statistical Upgrade: While Robert Sánchez has improved, Verbruggen ranks significantly higher in save percentage (69.1%) and passing accuracy (77.6%) this season, fitting Rosenior’s demand for a "calming presence."
The "Next Step": Verbruggen is reportedly ready to move this summer and has shown no interest in extending his current Brighton contract beyond 2028.
The Verdict: Chelsea's history with Brighton signings is a mixed bag (Caicedo and Cucurella have come good, while Sánchez has divided opinion), but the "relational recruitment" of Winstanley and Roberts suggests this is a deal they are 100% convinced by.