Chelsea agree to terms with Champions League finalist

Newly appointed Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be looking to overhaul his squad once the transfer window opens next week. 

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has recently inherited a huge playing squad that could only manage a 12h-placed finish in the Premier League this term.

Owner Todd Boehly spent over £500m on players last season, and the London outfit will now look to sell a number of current stars in order to balance the books and trim the squad.

Pochettino is expected to have the final say on which players are put up for sale and which ones stay put at Stamford Bridge, leaving the Argentine with several difficult decisions to make.

Now, it appears that the former Spurs man has already identified a goalkeeper that he wishes to sign, and the club are said to have already agreed personal terms.

According to Tutto Mercato via The Sun, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Inter Milan ‘keeper Andre Onana.

The report claims that, while the Blues have reached an agreement with Onana, they are yet to agree a deal with Inter having had a £34 million offer for the player rejected by the Italian side.

Onana is Chelsea’s top goalkeeper target this summer

Onana, 27, joined Inter Milan on a free transfer from Ajax last summer and is regarded by many as one of the best in Europe in his position.

The Cameroonian was recognised as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world during his seven-year stint with the Dutch giants, and has taken his game to new heights since moving last summer.

Onana’s career was on the edge of collapse back in 2021 as he was handed a nine-month ban from football after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

The Cameroon international has turned his career around in Italy, though, making 41 appearances across all competitions this term.

The goalkeeper kept eight clean sheets in 13 Champions League appearances this season, helping the Serie A giants to reach the final of the competition.

Onana couldn’t prevent Inter from falling to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester City in Saturday’s final, though.

At present, he is contracted to his current club until the summer of 2027, which could make a move for the player quite difficult.

Chelsea’s current senior ‘keepers – Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga – have both struggled for consistency during their respective spells with the club so far and those in charge of the club are therefore searching for a new world-class goalkeeper.