Chelsea target Anatoliy Trubin does have “two English clubs” trying to sign him, according to the Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper’s agent.

The Ukrainian, who has been capped seven times by his country, is also attracting interest from Inter Milan and, speaking to Inter-News.it, Trubin’s representative said that talks are taking place with the Serie A side but there are Premier League sides pursuing his signature too:

“Inter is expressing interest in Trubin, the negotiations are still ongoing and concern the two clubs. In addition, there are also two English clubs who want him. For us, the important condition is that he is the first goalkeeper. Once this is defined, our client will choose his next destination. A price has not yet been established for Trubin.”

Writing in his Caught Offside Substack column on Thursday, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claimed that Trubin is being seriously considered by Chelsea as a potential replacement for Edouard Mendy:

“There is a strong possibility that Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue as Mauricio Pochettino’s number one keeper, and Chelsea will sign a backup option. They like Anatoliy Trubin at Shakhtar Donetsk – he’s one option who could come in to provide competition and replace the departing Edouard Mendy. That’s what Chelsea have in mind at the moment – a young talented goalkeeper, rather than to spend crazy money on bigger names like Onana or Mike Maignan.”

Trubin wants to be a number one

From the agent’s remarks, it doesn’t appear as if Chelsea will be the most attractive destination if, as Romano says, the Blues are lining him up as Kepa’s understudy.

Trubin is keen to be first choice and, if Andre Onana does leave Inter for Manchester United, then there would be an opening at the Nerazzurri.

Do Chelsea have alternative targets?

If the London club are not pursuing a new number one, then we can assume that both Onana and Mike Maignan are not being considered, as Romano suggests. You couldn’t see them going after Porto’s Diogo Costa, Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez or Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel for that reason either.

Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili would, therefore, probably be the likeliest candidate. The Georgian is young and relatively cheap, but he could compete with Kepa for a starting spot, having made 100+ senior appearances.