Chelsea have reportedly turned down a seven-figure offer from Arsenal for 16-year-old goalkeeping protege Freddy Bernal.
The 2008-born goalkeeper was recently named in the England Under-17 squad for this summer's European Championships, joining several other highly-rated youngsters in Neil Ryan's selection.
Arsenal duo Max Dowman and Jack Porter will also be competing in the tournament in Albania, as will Manchester United's Bendito Mantato and Manchester City's Reigan Heskey.
Bernal - who has already been called up to represent England at Under-18 level - has featured on five occasions for Chelsea in the Under-18 Premier League this term, albeit while failing to keep a clean sheet and conceding 11 goals.
Nevertheless, the 16-year-old's exploits in West London have apparently not gone unnoticed by rival clubs, and Fabrizio Romano claims that Arsenal recently came forward with a £1.25m offer.
However, the Gunners' approach was immediately turned down by Chelsea, who have no plans to let Bernal leave and want the youngster to continue his development at Stamford Bridge.
A handful of other unnamed clubs are supposedly still interested in signing the shot-stopper, though, and he cannot sign a professional deal with Chelsea until he turns 17 in October.
The state of play with Arsenal and Chelsea's goalkeepers
🚨 EXCL: Arsenal have offered Chelsea £1.25m for England U18 goalkeeper Freddy Bernal.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2025
Chelsea rejected the bid, clear on their position as they want to keep Bernal. Several other clubs remain interested. pic.twitter.com/iYlQNPABeQ
Bernal has not even made his debut for Chelsea's Under-21s let alone get anywhere near the first team, so it should still be at least a couple of years before he is considered for senior action by Enzo Maresca.
However, the Blues could be set for a reshuffle in the goalkeeping department this summer, as neither Robert Sanchez nor Filip Jorgensen have consistently convinced, while Kepa Arrizabalaga - on loan at Bournemouth - should finally leave on a permanent deal.
Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel appears to have emerged as the main target to inherit Sanchez's gloves in the English capital, and Chelsea's pursuit of the Swiss shot-stopper is apparently gaining momentum.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are expected to pursue a new number two in the summer transfer window, having only signed Bournemouth's Neto on loan as a temporary replacement for Southampton-bound Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners are said to be growing in confidence over a deal for Espanyol's Joan Garcia, in spite of competition from a plethora of clubs including Barcelona, Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen.
Garcia would have to accept a backup role behind undisputed number one David Raya, although the Spaniard has been linked with a shock transfer to a La Liga giant this summer.
The Gunners also added youngsters Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard to their ranks last summer, but it remains to be seen if either man is deemed ready for the role of Raya's deputy next season.
Ben Knapton
