Chelsea 'plotting summer move for £40m-rated goalkeeper Andre Onana'
Chelsea ‘plotting summer move for £40m-rated goalkeeper Andre Onana’ amid doubts over Kepa Arizzabalaga and Edouard Mendy… and Inter Milan’s ‘interest in Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah could hold the key’
- Chelsea hold interest in Inter’s Onana after links to former Ajax keeper in 2020
- Inter ‘appreciate’ Chalobah, who could be ‘hold the key’ to a deal in the summer
- Lukaku could be included in any deal for Onana as he wants to stay at Inter
Chelsea are plotting a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana while interest in Romelu Lukaku and Trevoh Chalobah from the Italian side could be key to any deal.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is Graham Potter’s first choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge and has been preferred to Edouard Mendy since the former Brighton boss took over from Thomas Tuchel.
However, it is believed that the Blues could enter the market for a new shot-stopper in the summer transfer window, with Gazetta Dello Sport identifying Onana as a target for Chelsea.
The report states that the Cameroon international could swap Italy for the Premier League as soon as this summer, with several teams interested in a move for the 26-year-old, including Potter’s Chelsea.
The Blues already have several players that are of interest to Inter, with Lukaku already on loan at the Serie A side.
Gazzetta Dello Sport believe that Chelsea could use players in a deal for Andre Onana
Onana was previously linked with a move to Stamford Bridge from Ajax back in 2020
The Belgian ‘wants to stay at all costs’ while Inter also ‘appreciate’ Chalobah as those on the Inter board are have been keen on the defender ‘for years’.
Chalobah, a Cobham graduate, has seen game time limited this season despite signing a six-year contract extension in November, and could seek a Chelsea departure in search of more minutes.
It remains to be seen as to whether any deal could be struck between the Blues and Inter for Onana, but the interest in these players could see a potential swap deal emerge.
Onana is believed to be valued at £40million by Inter, having played 28 times this season for the Italian side and keeping an impressive 14 clean sheets in the process.
Having previously been linked to Chelsea back in 2020, Onana could make the move to Stamford Bridge three years later and join Potter’s new-look side this summer.
Romelu Lukaku is keen to remain at Inter Milan beyond his current loan spell
Trevoh Chalobah is also held in high regard at Inter Milan and could be used in any deal
However, any move would likely see either Kepa or Mendy leave the club as Marcus Bettinelli recently signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2026, most likely in his current role as third choice.
Potter has praised Mendy’s attitude in the past after the Senegal international lost his place to Kepa, stating: ‘I’ve had some good chats with him and he’s been great. Top professional, very supportive.
‘Obviously he was injured when we first arrived, so Kepa played and Kepa did well. He’s honest enough and professional enough to know that sometimes you’ve got to be patient and work hard and support the team and support Kepa, which is exactly what he did. You can’t ask any more.’
However, if Onana is brought in to add further competition, Mendy will no doubt consider his options as the 31-year-old has still not agreed a new contract at Chelsea.
Source: Read Full Article