Blackpool eyeing up Chelsea transfer; Middlesbrough man emerges as fallback option | OneFootball

Blackpool are in the market for a new goalkeeper following the departure of Dan Grimshaw.

Blackpool are interested in signing Chelsea goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom on loan, and there is a backup option in the form of Middlesbrough stopper Tom Glover if their priority target cannot be landed.

That's according to journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, who has reported that the Tangerines are keen on bringing Bergstrom to Bloomfield Road to replace Dan Grimshaw, who left the club this week to join Championship side Plymouth Argyle.

If the Seasiders are unable to complete a deal to sign Bergstrom, they will turn their attention to Boro man Glover, who could also be available on loan before Friday's transfer deadline.

Blackpool - who do not have a manager at this moment in time - currently have the experienced Richard O'Donnell and youngster Mackenzie Chapman as their options between the sticks following Grimshaw's move to the Pilgrims, but they seemingly want to sign a new number one before the end of the summer transfer window.

O'Donnell started yesterday's League One fixture against Cambridge United, in which Blackpool surrendered a 4-1 lead in just over half an hour to draw the game, perhaps highlighting the need for a new goalkeeper.

Blackpool keen on Chelsea transfer swoop for Lucas Bergstrom

Bergstrom is down the pecking order at Chelsea, having never made a senior appearance for the club, and spent some time on loan at IF Brommapojkarna earlier in 2024 - but he only appeared three times in the Allsvenskan before dropping to the bench.

In the 2022-23 season, Bergstrom featured in 28 matches for Peterborough United, and kept nine clean sheets for the Posh before his mid-season recall to Stamford Bridge.

If the Finland youth international does make the move to Bloomfield Road, he will have big gloves to fill, after Grimshaw impressed for Blackpool in the third tier last season.

Grimshaw kept 18 clean sheets in 45 League One appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, so Blackpool will do well to find a replacement who can replicate his performances.

Bergstrom has been at Chelsea since 2018, so he clearly has some pedigree if they have been willing to keep the towering 6ft 6in Finnish goalkeeper round, and it will be interesting to see how he performs as a regular first-choice if Blackpool are able to get a deal done.

Tom Glover wanted by Blackpool if Bergstrom deal falls through

If Blackpool cannot complete a deal for Bergstrom, then they will attempt to sign Tom Glover on loan from Middlesbrough, as per Nixon's report.

At the age of 26, the Australian is a slightly more experienced option, and also made 12 Championship appearances for Boro last season as they missed out on a play-off place.

Glover spent time on the books at Tottenham earlier in his career, before returning to his homeland and establishing himself in the first-team at Melbourne City for a few seasons. He returned to England to sign for Middlesbrough last summer, where he has provided cover for Seny Dieng.

Boro do not have a huge amount of depth in goal, so it would be interesting to see whether they are open to sending Glover on loan, but if the player wants regular first-team football, Blackpool will hope that they can get a deal over the line if they register an interest.

The Tangerines are without a manager after Neil Critchley was relieved of his duties, which could make it more difficult to complete signings before the end of the transfer window, but they need to ensure a new goalkeeper is brought in regardless.