Chelsea Football Club, under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino, is set to make a substantial offer to secure the services of Andre Onana, the distinguished goalkeeper of Inter Milan. According to reports, the Premier League team is prepared to put forward a significant £55 million bid to bring the Cameroonian star to Stamford Bridge.
The Italian club Inter Milan, still reeling from its recent UEFA Champions League loss against Manchester City, has reportedly been priming for Onana's potential departure. Reports suggest that Inter Milan has been eyeing Guglielmo Vicario as a promising replacement for their star player, signifying the club's readiness to negotiate Onana's exit.
Onana, hailed as "an exceptional goalkeeper" by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, has been a key asset for Inter Milan. The 27-year-old's potential shift to the Premier League is not merely the result of Chelsea's interest. According to Italian news outlet TMW, Onana himself has shown keen interest in the transfer and has reached a preliminary agreement with Chelsea over the move1.
The Premier League club's initial £34.25 million bid for Onana was rebuffed by Inter, prompting Chelsea to reconsider their approach and propose a more substantial offer to secure the goalkeeper's services.
If Chelsea's £55 million bid is accepted, Onana will likely assume the position of Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper. This prospect could disrupt the club's current lineup, with Kepa and Edouard Mendy potentially relegated to squad player positions. As a result, Chelsea might explore selling both Kepa and Mendy to balance out the cost of acquiring Onana.
Chelsea's head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been instrumental in driving this potential transfer. However, the report suggests that the club will need to find a suitable back-up goalkeeper if Kepa and Mendy depart. Marcus Bettinelli could emerge as a strong candidate for the second goalkeeper position at Chelsea next season1.
Despite the considerable price tag, the acquisition of Onana is viewed as a strategic move for Chelsea. As the club vies for dominance in the Premier League, securing a player of Onana's calibre could provide a significant boost to their campaign.
The proposed transfer is yet to be finalized, and the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Onana will join Chelsea for the upcoming season.
