Revealed: Chelsea’s plan for first summer signing
The race for teenage Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina was thought to have been won by Real Madrid. Chelsea, on the other hand, appeared to have snatched the deal.
Real Madrid’s initial bid for Slonina was turned down, giving Chelsea the opportunity to jump in.
Chelsea are’really close’ to completing a deal for Gabriel Slonina, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, and are eager to conclude the deal as quickly as possible, making Slonina the club’s first summer acquisition.
Slonina’s contract is expected to be finalized before the summer arrival of Ousmane Dembele, who is also slated to join Chelsea.
Following the completion of the transfer, Romano has announced that Chelsea would loan the young goalkeeper to Chicago Fire for the remainder of the season.
Chelsea see Slonina as a long-term replacement for current number one Edouard Mendy, and the club may follow in the footsteps of former Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was loaned to Atletico Madrid for three years after being signed from Genk, before eventually taking over as Chelsea’s number one from Petr Cech.