Chelsea have beaten Real Madrid to the signing of Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed. The Blues chased the USMNT international last January, too, before a forced change of ownership put their transfer plans on hold, allowing Real Madrid to steal a march on the young goalkeeper. However, Chelsea returned to the table to conclude the negotiations quickly once the baton was passed onto the Todd Boehly-led consortium.
According to Romano, Chelsea will pay Chicago Fire a 15 million dollar fee, including add-ons, to complete the transaction. The 18-year-old will undergo his medical examinations and complete the remaining formalities before rejoining Fire until December 31, 2022.
Meanwhile, as per The Athletic, Chelsea’s centre-back search has led them to Wesley Fofana of Leicester City, who, as per manager Brendan Rodgers, is not for sale this summer. The Frenchman signed a long-term contract with the Foxes upon returning from a lengthy lay-off recently and is content with his position, at present. As such, prising him away from Leicester will be difficult, with the Premier League side likely to ask for a fee in the region of 80 to 85 million pounds.
Chelsea hope to reduce that figure by offering players in return. However, it is not known, as of now, which players the Blues will consider offering in exchange and if Leicester will entertain the idea of a swap deal.
Thomas Tuchel and Co also hope to add right wingback Denzel Dumfries to their roster to provide cover and competition to Reece James, says the report.
The 26-year-old only joined Inter Milan last summer as a replacement for PSG-bound Achraf Hakimi but could be sold immediately as the Nerazzurri look to ease the financial burden on themselves.
Inter are also in talks with the Parisians to sell Milan Skriniar, but negotiations on that front have halted – which could lead to Dumfries becoming available for a quick sale.
