Chelsea goalkeeping coach: 'Alphonse Areola wanted to join'

Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon has suggested that the club came close to signing Alphonse Areola from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer.

The Blues were on the lookout for a new number one after it became clear that previous first-choice stopper Thibaut Courtois was on his way to Real Madrid.

After being linked with an array of keepers, including Kasper Schmeichel, Alisson Becker and Gianluigi Donnarumma, Chelsea turned to Athletic Bilbao's Kepa Arrizabalaga in a £71m deal last month.

Lollichon claims that Areola was also one of the West London outfit's top targets, though, and the France international was open to a move.

"We spoke a lot in the summer," he told Le Figaro. "He wanted to come here, but the final decision was not my responsibility. It would have been a pleasure to work with him."

Areola made his competitive debut for France in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Germany at the Allianz Arena.