Chelsea have firmly rejected Arsenal's opening bid of £1.25 million for their highly-rated U-18 English goalkeeper Freddy Bernal, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues have shown no interest in entertaining the offer as they are determined to keep the talented young custodian within their ranks at Stamford Bridge, where he is considered a promising prospect for the future.

Despite the initial rejection, Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer exceeding their first £1.25 million bid. The Gunners appear keen to secure the services of the England U-18 international, viewing him as a valuable addition to their youth setup.

Romano also revealed that Chelsea may face additional pressure to retain Bernal, as several other clubs have expressed interest in signing the goalkeeper. However, the West London club remains steadfast in their position to keep the youngster as part of their long-term plans.

This transfer saga highlights the ongoing competition between Premier League giants for emerging talents, with both Chelsea and Arsenal placing significant emphasis on developing young prospects for their first teams.

The situation surrounding Bernal will likely continue to develop in the coming weeks as Arsenal considers their next move in pursuit of the goalkeeper, while Chelsea works to secure his future at Stamford Bridge.