Chelsea will step up their pursuit of Inter goalkeeper Andre Onana following his impressive display in the Champions League final.
New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is desperate to sign a new number 1 this summer and the Blues have set Onana as their number one target. Inter want at least £50 million for the 27-year-old and could be forced to sell to ease their financial woes.
Chelsea held talks with Inter in April and is now ready to resume dialogue with the Italian club. Onana could not prevent Inter from losing 1-0 to Manchester City in Saturday's Champions League final but the Cameroon international played well. He challenged Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne in the first half and was unable to reply to Rodri's winner in the second.
City manager Pep Guardiola last week praised Onana, describing him as "amazing with his feet".
Now Onana wants to decide her future. Manchester United could compete with Chelsea for him and offer him Champions League football next season, although Pochettino's Blues remain an attractive proposition. Alternative options for Onana include Georgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, Gregor Kobel from Dortmund, and David Raya from Brentford.
Mamardashvili is believed to be Chelsea's second target to join Kepa Arrizabalaga. Eduard Mendy will be sold this summer.
AC Milan and France No.1 Mike Meignan were also scouted but Chelsea were put on hold with an asking price of £80 million. Chelsea has a great working relationship with Inter, having loaned Romelu Lukaku to Italy last summer and signed young midfielder Cesare Casadei for £16m.
Lukaku is ready to negotiate his future with Chelsea. The striker, who missed a good chance of reaching the Champions League final in extra time, is expected to return to Chelsea this summer after spending this season on loan at Inter.
Pochettino hinted he wants to work with Lukaku but it remains to be seen if the £97.5m striker will be part of his plans.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0