Chelsea are reportedly ready to make a shock swoop for
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, who is available on a free
transfer.
Turnbull rejected an offer of a new deal at 'Boro and is set to
sign alongside Russian star Yuri Zhirkov and Manchester City's
Daniel Sturridge, though a tribunal will need to set the fee for
the young City striker after the clubs failed to compromise over
the compensation due.
Middlesbrough confirmed Turnbull would be leaving the club last
month, with Boro chief executive Keith Lamb claiming the
24-year-old wanted to leave in order to play regular first-team
football.
"Ross has written and told us that he's rejected our contract
offers and he will be free from the end of June to join whichever
club he chooses," Lamb told the club's official website. "We didn't
want Ross to leave, we've been negotiating with him and his agent
for the last eight months. We felt he had a future at Middlesbrough
and we made him a number of offers over the last 12 months.
"They were exceptional offers for a goalkeeper who has played
less than 30 games for Middlesbrough's first team. Each one was
rejected by Ross and his advisors and consequently he has now
informed us that it is his intention to pursue his career
elsewhere.
"The reason Ross consistently gave us (for not signing) was that
he wanted to play regular first-team football.
"I assume Ross will be going to a club where he will get regular
first-team football. But we don't know who that club will be, time
alone will tell. We wish him well and hope it works out for
him."
If Turnbull does sign for Chelsea he will play as reserve to
established number one Petr Cech, while the future of Portuguese
keeper Henrique Hilario now looks unsure.
soccernet.