Aleksandr Golovin is set to snub Chelsea in favour of a summer move to AS Monaco, club vice president Vadim Vasilyev has confirmed.
As reported by Daily Mirror, AS Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev has confirmed that the principality club is set to sign Aleksandr Golovin from CSKA Moscow. The Russian midfielder was also linked with a move to Chelsea. But, the 22-year-old will join Monaco in a €30 million deal imminently.
Golovin has enjoyed a stunning rise to prominence over the last 12 months. The 22-year-old had enjoyed a solid 2017-18 season with CSKA Moscow. But, it is at the 2018 FIFA World Cup where he truly came to the fore, spearheading Russia’s campaign as the hosts shocked everyone by reaching the quarter-finals.
With each performance, Golovin attracted more suitors, with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus linked with him. But, Chelsea were believed to be the front-runners in his pursuit for several weeks.
In fact, it was also believed that Golovin’s transfer to Chelsea was a mere formality after his former CSKA Moscow teammate Sergey Chepchugov seemed to have confirmed the move in an Instagram post. But, it now looks like the Russian prodigy has snubbed the Blues to join AS Monaco, as confirmed by the club’s vice president Vadim Vasilyev.
“Monaco and CSKA finally finally agreed on the transfer of Golovin. It’s a standard five year contract. Honestly, until the last moment I wasn’t sure we’d be able to complete this transfer. Our main competitor was Chelsea. I believe Monaco offered more favourable conditions for the club and a more understandable sports project for Golovin.”
“Chelsea – this is a top club, which I treat with great respect. However, the midfield in the English team is overloaded. In my opinion, Golovin will definitely play in any of the leading clubs in the world. But it will [take] him some time, a transition stage.”
Vasilyev’s words do ring true. Chelsea are stacked with midfield options upon the arrival of Jorginho. The Italian’s addition means the Blues now have two top class playmakers in Jorginho and Cesc Fabregas, with the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, N’Golo Kante and Ross Barkley covering other bases for Maurizio Sarri.
Monaco, on the other hand, needed to boost their creative options after the departures of Joao Moutinho and Thomas Lemar. The European giants have duly done so, with Golovin set to join imminently in a €30 million deal. Chelsea, on the other hand, are unlikely to feel hard done by despite losing out on the Russian star.