Chelsea goalkeeper Mike Penders is attracting interest from several clubs, including PSV Eindhoven and RC Strasbourg, according to Dutch news outlet HLN.
The highly rated teenage sensation is expected to be part of Chelsea’s travelling squad for this summer’s Club World Cup tournament in the United States.
The chances of Penders playing are slim, but his inclusion in the squad is far from meaningless. Chelsea view it as an important opportunity to evaluate the Belgian’s development.
Chelsea signed Penders from Racing Genk for a reported €20 million (£17m) and handed him a staggering eight-year contract. That was before he had even played a full season at senior level.
The Blues sent Penders back to Genk on a season-long loan, and he has been instrumental for them this season.
The 19-year-old has produced several outstanding performances in Genk colours en route to keeping nine clean sheets in 34 games across all competitions.
Genk’s head of football, Dimitri de Conde, has admitted that the Belgian outfit want to extend Penders’ loan for one more year.
However, Chelsea will decide where the next stage of Penders’ development will unfold, but a couple of other clubs are throwing their hats into the ring.
PSV are monitoring him as a possible replacement for Walter Benitez, although they’re yet to make any concrete proposals to Chelsea or the player’s camp.
Strasbourg are also in the mix. Djordje Petrovic is set to return to Chelsea, so the Blues could send Penders to their sister club to soften the blow of losing their Player of the Year.
Chelsea initially wanted Penders and Petrovic to fight for the number one spot from next season.
However, Penders is reportedly leaning towards continuing his development at Genk, and talks between both clubs have been described as positive.
Genk are set to play in the Europa League play-offs in August, and regular game time at that high level could help Penders live up to his huge potential.
