Report: Chelsea Have 'Verbal Agreement' With Chicago Fire For Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina
Report: Chelsea Have 'Verbal Agreement' With Chicago Fire For Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina - Sports Illustrated Chelsea FC News, Analysis and More Skip to main content
Chelsea ‘reach verbal agreement with Chicago Fire for £8m Gabriel Slonina as they close in on first summer transfer’
CHELSEA are closing in on Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina, who is set to become the first signing of the Todd Boehly era. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have reached a verbal agreement with the MLS outfit for Slonina, 18. 2 Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina is set to join ChelseaCredit: Getty 2 Chelsea owner Todd Boehly held direct talks with Chicago Fire to sign Gabriel SloninaCredit: Getty Boehly held "direct talks" with Chicago Fire and reached a $10million (£8m) deal, which is expected to rise as there will also be add-ons. The American keeper will spend this coming season on loan at the Illinois outfit, as per the agreement. Chelsea are expected to make an "official bid" at some point this week to seal the deal. Romano tweeted: "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. "Chelsea are expected to submit official bid this week in order to get the deal done." Slonina's move to Chelsea was at risk of collapsing earlier this month after club legend Petr Cech resigned from his role as technical and performance advisor. However, the 18-year-old seems set to join Thomas Tuchel's squad despite Cech's recent departure. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS Slonina joined Chicago Fire's academy in 2016 and was promoted to the first team last year. The USA international has since amassed a total of 30 appearances across all competitions for the American side. He is expected to become Chelsea's first signing since Boehly's consortium took over at Stamford Bridge. The West Londoners are also trying to complete a deal for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, who underwent a medical in London ahead of a £50m move.
Chelsea 'reach agreement' on second transfer as Todd Boehly effect kicks in
Slonina wrote: "Being Polish means being extremely hard working, having faith, never taking no for an answer, pushing through hard times, and taking care of your family. I love everything about my heritage, from the people to the food, to the cities. "I am also extremely grateful for being given the possibility to play for Poland. With that being said, my heart is American. "This country has given me and my family all the opportunities I could ask for. It's pushed me and supported me through good and bad. "I understand the privilege of wearing the badge, and the only time I'll put my head down is to kiss it. America is home and that's who I'm going to represent."