Chelsea are prepared to rival Bayern Munich in the race to sign Bart Verbruggen from Brighton, according to TEAMtalk.

talkSPORT are reporting that Bayern are considering a push for Verbruggen as a long-term successor for Manuel Neuer.

The experienced German shotstopper is out of contract in the summer and will leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season.

And Bayern are said to be weighing up a move for the Netherlands international as they look to future-proof a key area of the pitch.

Chelsea to rival Bayern for Brighton star

However, they’ll face competition from Chelsea for Verbruggen amidst rumours the Blues prepared to match Brighton’s £50m asking price for the 23-year-old.

Chelsea have routinely spent big to sign Brighton’s star players, with Robert Sanchez, Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo moving from the AMEX Stadium to Stamford Bridge in the past.

The Blues are now eyeing up a summer move for the young shotstopper as they ponder replacements for Sanchez between the sticks.

The Spaniard has been widely criticised in the past and his inconsistency has held Chelsea back as they seek to secure silverware.

Mike Maignan was previously a target

Chelsea were linked with a move for AC Milan star Mike Maignan last summer and were expected to firm up their interest in the France international last month.

Maignan, though, opted to put pen to paper on a new deal with the title chasing Rossoneri to end any hopes of a potential move to England.

That has seen Chelsea turn their attention to Verbruggen, who has two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast.

Tottenham have also been credited with an interest in Verbruggen, however they find themselves behind Bayern and Chelsea in the race to sign the former Anderlecht shotstopper.

Brighton struggling at the wrong end of the table

Verbruggen was unable to prevent Brighton from falling to a second successive league defeat on Wednesday night as the Seagulls crashed to a 1-0 loss at Aston Villa.

Jack Hinshelwood’s late own goal means Fabian Hurzeler’s side are winless in six and find themselves just seven points above the dropzone.