In a surprising twist in the summer football transfer saga, Chelsea Football Club, managed by Mauricio Pochettino, has exhibited a keen interest in securing the services of Inter Milan's shot-stopper, André Onana. Sources suggest that the Premier League outfit is geared up for a £55 million chase for the 27-year-old Cameroonian.
Recent reports from The Sun note that Inter Milan is seemingly ready to negotiate a deal for Onana as they've identified Guglielmo Vicario as a potential replacement. Inter Milan, fresh off a Champions League final loss to Manchester City, appears prepared to sell Onana for a sum of £55 million.
Chelsea's pursuit of Onana isn't entirely unfounded. The Blues had previously made a bid of €40 million (£34.25 million) for the goalkeeper, a proposal that Inter Milan rejected. Notably, this hasn't dampened Chelsea's resolve, as the Premier League side remains fixated on bringing Onana to English soil. The player himself is understood to be interested in a move to England's top-flight league and has reportedly agreed in principle to a potential transfer to Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, previously lauded Onana as an "exceptional goalkeeper" in an interview with Metro. This reputation makes Onana an enticing target for Chelsea, as they look to bolster their squad for the upcoming season. If the deal comes to fruition, it's likely that Onana will be Chelsea's first-choice goalkeeper, potentially leaving current keepers Kepa and Edouard Mendy in the position of squad players.
However, the deal is far from a certainty. It would require Chelsea to match or exceed Inter's £55 million valuation. If the Blues are indeed committed to securing Onana's signature and if Pochettino is keen on having the Inter shot-stopper in his ranks, it seems plausible that Chelsea might meet the asking price. The potential sale of Kepa and Mendy could help fund the move for Onana. Backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli could rise to the role of second-choice keeper if Onana joins the team.
As the summer transfer window gains momentum, fans and pundits will be closely monitoring these developments. Could Onana's move to Chelsea redefine the Premier League landscape next season? Only time will tell. For now, the £55 million question remains unanswered.
