Per journalist Sacha Tavolieri, the Blues are in advanced talks to sign Genk's young custodian Penders in the ongoing summer transfer window. The Premier League side are reportedly offering a transfer fee of €20m (£16m) and a percentage of future resale to the Belgian side. The custodian, however, will be sent back on loan to Genk and will only be appearing for the Blues from the 2025/26 campaign.