Report: Chelsea plotting improved €20M bid for Rennes 'keeper Mendy

Chelsea still hope to sign goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from Rennes despite the French club refusing their opening offer of €16 million, according to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg.

The London outfit is expected to return with a second bid of €20 million.

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has lost patience with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who became the world's most expensive shot-stopper after his £72.6-million move from Athletic Bilbao in 2018. However, no club appears to have the funds to end the 25-year-old's error-strewn spell in England.

The Blues therefore seeking cheaper alternatives to compete with Kepa. They were apparently considering a move for Jan Oblak to replace the Spaniard, but the Atletico Madrid star reportedly has a hefty €109-million release clause.

It's understood that Chelsea have been tracking Mendy for some time. But Rennes, who are reportedly keen on striking a loan deal for Blues defender Fikayo Tomori, are determined to keep hold of Mendy after they signed the Senegalese international from Reims last August.

Chelsea have already spent big on outfield players this summer following the arrivals of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, and Ben Chilwell, while Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr have joined on free transfers. Attacking midfielder Kai Havertz will also reportedly complete a €100-million switch from Bayer Leverkusen.

The Blues have additionally held a long-running interest in West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice.