SUNDERLAND have failed in an attempt to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a season-long loan.
David Moyes is keen to sign a goalkeeper before tomorrow night's transfer deadline, having lost the services of first-choice Vito Mannone because of injury.
Mannone will be sidelined for at least three months after tearing his elbow ligaments, and while youngster Jordan Pickford acquitted himself reasonably well at Southampton last weekend, Moyes wants a more experienced option as he looks to rebuild the squad he inherited from Sam Allardyce.
He identified Begovic as a potential option, but Chelsea have rejected Sunderland's offer of a loan deal.
Begovic has made 26 senior appearances since joining Chelsea from Stoke in 2015, and is the London club's established number two.
He was an unused substitute in Chelsea's weekend win over Burnley, and Blues boss Antonio Conte does not want to lose him this month.
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