Arsenal have taken a bold step in their efforts to bolster their goalkeeping options for the future by submitting a £1.25 million bid for Chelsea’s 16-year-old prodigy, Freddy Bernal. However, Chelsea swiftly turned down the offer, signalling a firm stance on retaining the young talent.
Freddy Bernal, currently playing for Chelsea’s U-18 team, has featured in five matches this season. Despite conceding 11 goals and not yet recording a clean sheet, the youngster has impressed scouts with his raw potential and strong shot-stopping ability. Bernal is considered one of the rising stars in Chelsea’s academy and represents England at the U-18 level, though he also has Colombian roots and may opt to play for Colombia internationally in the future.
Chelsea are reportedly keen to keep Bernal as part of their long-term plans, despite Arsenal’s interest. The Gunners see Bernal as a future option between the posts and were hoping to lure him to North London with their offer. With the bid rejected, Arsenal will need to either return with a significantly improved offer or look elsewhere to strengthen their youth goalkeeping ranks.
This comes as part of Arsenal’s broader youth recruitment strategy, as they continue to identify emerging talent across Europe. Meanwhile, Chelsea remain committed to safeguarding their top academy prospects amidst growing interest from Premier League rivals.
