Manchester City and Newcastle United could reportedly go head-to-head for the signature of highly-rated Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
The 22-year-old had big gloves to fill in France in the shape of Mike Maignan, who helped Les Dogues win the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title, but he is now regarded as one of the most promising goalkeeping talents in Europe.
Chevalier has made 92 appearances for Lille across all competitions, keeping 36 clean sheets, including in his side's surprise 1-0 Champions League win over current holders Real Madrid last week.
The Frenchman was instrumental in his side's triumph over Carlo Ancelotti's team, making five saves and also being quick off his line to snuff out any danger, earning high praise from French media in the process.
During the 2023-24 season, Chevalier kept 15 clean sheets in 33 Ligue 1 contests, although he was beaten to the Golden Glove to Nice's Marcin Bulka and also lost out on a spot in the Team of the Season to Paris Saint-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Man City considering Chevalier as Ederson replacement?
© Imago
Chevalier's contract at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy runs for another three seasons, but according to TBR, Man City have him on their list of possible successors to Ederson.
The Brazil international was heavily tipped to move to the Saudi Pro League over the summer, but a move did not materialise, and he remains Pep Guardiola's undisputed first-choice stopper.
Ederson's future beyond the end of the season is clouded in uncertainty, though, and City have supposedly been scouting Chevalier - a France Under-23 international - for a full 12 months.
However, City are just one of three clubs pursuing Chevalier's services, as PSG are also believed to be interested following a noticeable drop-off in Donnarumma's performance levels.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are supposedly considering the 22-year-old to be a possible successor to Nick Pope, and the Magpies also believe that Chevalier's footwork is far superior to the Englishman.
Why is Chevalier not in the France squad?
© Imago
Chevalier's string of solid displays last season and wonderful performance against Real Madrid was expected to lead to a first-ever senior France call-up, but the 22-year-old was snubbed by Didier Deschamps for October's Nations League matches.
AC Milan's Mike Maignan, Lens' Brice Samba and West Ham United's Alphonse Areola - despite the Irons' poor start to the Premier League season - have all been selected ahead of Chevalier, who has turned out for his nation at every level from Under-16s to Under-23s.
However, speaking to journalists after announcing his squad, Deschamps affirmed that Chevalier was on the brink of selection and fired a warning shot to his current crop of shot-stoppers.
"He's getting closer and closer [to a call-up]. I didn't need last night's match to know about his potential. It will come sooner or later. It means that the three goalkeepers with us (Maignan, Samba, Areola), have to maintain their level," Deschamps said.
As well as Chevalier, Roma's Mile Svilar and Sunderland's Anthony Patterson are also rumoured to be wanted by Man City, who have Ederson under contract until 2026.
Ben Knapton
