Chelsea have reportedly verbally agreed to a €10 million deal to sign American goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.
According to Italian football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are closing in on signing Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. The Blues have verbally agreed to a €10 million deal to sign the highly-rated 18-year-old American shot-stopper.
Gabriel Slonina made his first-team debut for Chicago Fire in the 2021 season, amassing 11 appearances for them, in which he conceded 16 goals and kept four clean sheets. The American goalkeeper has kept his place between the sticks for the Major League Soccer side this season as well and has played 19 matches for them so far.
Slonina has been attracting interest from Chelsea since earlier this summer, with the Blues keen on getting him on board. Real Madrid were also keeping tabs on the 18-year-old goalkeeping prospect, but they seem to have pulled out of the race.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been in direct contact with Chicago Fire and has helped facilitate the deal. The two clubs have verbally agreed to a deal worth €10 million plus add-ons, with Romano claiming Slonina will remain with Chicago Fire on loan.
Chelsea have reached verbal agreement with Chicago Fire for Gabriel Slonina, after direct talks between Todd Boehly and MLS club. 10m deal plus add-ons, he'd stay at Chicago on loan. ??? #CFC
Chelsea are expected to submit official bid this week in order to get the deal done. pic.twitter.com/965dJHuI6w
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 11, 2022
Chelsea are expected to submit a formal bid this week to get the move through quickly as they turn attention toward other targets. The west London outfit are set to complete the signing of Raheem Sterling and are reportedly closing in on securing the services of Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as well.
Manchester United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with Chelsea as well. The Portuguese international is reportedly unhappy with the Red Devils’ inactivity in the transfer market and wants to leave the club this summer.
The Blues are in a transfer race for Leeds United winger Raphinha as well, alongside Arsenal and Barcelona. The Catalan giants are widely believed to be the favourites for the Brazilian’s signature. Chelsea are yet to sign a player in the ongoing transfer window, but a series of transfers could be completed in a short duration if recent reports are anything to go by, which should fill their fans with some optimism.
