The Blues have officially joined the race for Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina after coming close to a deal that ultimately didn’t pan out in February.
Chelsea have set their sights on the 18-year-old. Reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano recently tweeted about the Blues’ interest in the highly-rated American.
“Important hours ahead for Gabriel Slonina transfer. Real Madrid made official bid turned down by Chicago Fire last week – but Chelsea are also in talks to sign him, after being really close last February. Decision to be made soon – gonna be one of MLS record transfers,”
he wrote.
However, Chelsea are far from the only club interested in the talented 18-year-old keeper. According to reports, Spanish giants and champions of Europe Real Madrid also have him on their radar. Los Blancos’ opening offers were rejected by the club.
It remains to be seen whether they increase their interest or this will allow The Blues to get the opening they wanted. Reports from America also state that Chelsea are now frontrunners in the race for his signature. Slonina has spent his entire professional career so far with Chicago Fire.
He secured a spot in the club’s senior team in 2019 and has since then appeared in 24 matches across all competitions. He has kept nine clean sheets during that period, and his agility and reflexes have wowed several fans.
The belief in him is so high that many people expect his signing to break the MLS transfer record. It remains to be seen who wins the race for the player.
Signings are far from the only area that Chelsea will have to focus on in the coming weeks. The future of players like Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are in doubt, and meetings have been planned with the representatives of both the Spanish defenders.
Both of them are wanted by Barcelona, who are looking to get the deal over the line quickly and with as less fuss as possible. While Christensen has reportedly agreed to sign for Barca, Rudiger has officially joined Real Madrid earlier this month.
