Chelsea Set To Complete Third Summer Signing After Highly-Rated Star Arrives In London For Medical
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina after he arrived in London to undergo his medical, according to reports. Slonina, who was in action for the MLS side against Atlanta United on Saturday, has agreed a long-term move to west London and is on the verge of putting pen to paper to become a Chelsea player. Gabriel Slonina (1) seen during the MLS game between Toronto FC and Chicago Fire FC at BMO Field. (Alamy) Slonina’s move was hinted by Chicago boss Ezra Hendrickson after the game, but he refused to confirm any deal, or who the teenager was joining. "There's something close, but nothing has been signed yet so I can't really speak of that. But there's something very close to happening with that. "I think the kid deserves it. "There's no signature yet or anything so I really can't speak on details as far as that goes. "But I'm happy for the kid and it shows that we have some good young talent here in this organisation." Slonina had attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, but Thomas Tuchel’s side have won the transfer race for the highly-rated teenager. Now he has made the trip across the Atlantic to fly to London to finalise his transfer, and according to Fabrizio Romano, he will undergo his medical on Monday after arriving in the capital. Once his move is completed and made official, he will remain with Chicago Fire until 1 January next year to see out the season in the MLS. Slonina’s arrival, albeit delayed by six months, coincides with the exit of number two goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. He is close to joining Napoli on a loan deal as talks between the clubs continue. Should Kepa leave, which is looking increasingly likely, and should no goalkeeper arrive this summer to replace the Spaniard, Tuchel will be left with Edouard Mendy and Marcus Bettinelli as his senior options until Slonina joins up with the team in January. Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga together at Wembley. (Alamy) There is still more work to do in the summer transfer window for co-owner Todd Boehly and co. There is a little over four weeks until the summer window slams shut, and the season begins this week, so time is ticking for the Blues to get their required business done.
Chelsea step close to signing Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina
Chelsea are a step close to signing Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina. That's according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. He reported: "Gabriel Slonina's agent Jaime Garcia has informed Chicago Fire that they reached an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea. "CFC will submit official bid and send paperworks, after verbal agreement with Chicago: 10m plus add-ons. "Slonina will stay at Chicago on loan."
Shaqiri shines as Chicago Fire torch Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1
A split focus may have been the undoing of the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. Coming into a game against the Chicago Fire at B.C. Place, the 'Caps had an opportunity to inch closer to a playoff position in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. At the same time, the club knew another big test looms - a matchup with Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final on Tuesday. While Toronto took a dominant 4-0 victory in league play on Saturday, the Whitecaps (7-10-5) dropped an ugly 3-1 decision to the surging Fire (7-10-5). “Tonight was our worst performance of the season,” said Vanni Sartini, Vancouver's head coach. “And we take full ownership, I take full ownership of the not-good performance. “I don't know. Maybe (it was) the final, maybe wrong choices by us as a staff for the lineup today, maybe five million things we'll analyze. But (Chicago) goes away with the three points and they deserve it.” The Fire took control of the game early and dominated 60.9 per cent of the possession. The visitors outshot the 'Caps 16-8, and 4-3 in on-target shots. The Whitecaps simply weren't ready when the game started, said defender Marcus Godinho. “You're obviously looking forward to the (Voyageur) Cup game, but I think too many guys were just looking at that. I mean, this was a huge opportunity for us,” he said. “The Cup, of course, you want to win the Cup. But getting into the playoffs is important as well. And we had the opportunity to really close that gap today and unfortunately too many guys weren't there, weren't at it today.” Chicago's Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri led with a goal and an assist, lifting the Fire to their third straight win. Chris Mueller and Rafael Czichos also scored. Lucas Cavallini had the lone goal for a Whitecaps side that sat four points below the playoff bar in the MLS Western Conference after league play concluded Saturday. Twenty-year-old Canadian goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer made his second straight start for Vancouver and registered one save. Chicago's Gabriel Slonina stopped two of three on-target shots.
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