Manchester United and Chelsea are facing the same transfer conundrum

Chelsea and Liverpool's transfer battle has dominated the headlines in recent days but the Blues could now present Manchester United with a transfer headache.

The Stamford Bridge outfit beat Liverpool to the British record transfer signing of Moises Caicedo from Brighton and look set to do the same with Romeo Lavia after agreeing a deal with Southampton. But one Chelsea departure means Maurico Pochettino and Erik ten Hag could be shopping for similar players in the closing fortnight of the transfer window.

Chelsea sanctioned a loan move for Kepa Arrizabalaga to join Real Madrid. The Spain international looked set to be the club’s number one heading into the new season - despite the arrival of Brighton’s Robert Sanchez - having successfully wrestled the starting spot from Edouard Mendy last term.

But he has now moved to the Spanish capital after Thibaut Cortouis suffered an ACL injury. His departure, combined with Mendy’s earlier move to Al-Ahli, has left Chelsea reliant on new signing Sanchez. Meanwhile, Marcus Bettinelli, 31, has been promoted to second-choice, having made just one appearance for the club since his move from Fulham in 2021.

The situation somewhat mirrors Manchester United’s current goalkeeping position. The Reds have brought in Andre Onana as the replacement for long-term number one David De Gea. Tom Heaton was expected to be the back-up option until picking up an injury, while Dean Henderson could still depart after regaining full fitness.

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United previously agreed a fee for 20-year-old Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, who opted to join Belgian side STVV. Meanwhile the club