Chelsea intensify interest in Onana

According to sportglitz sources, Chelsea are reportedly happy to include Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly in any proposal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

The Blues are currently preparing for a summer of upheaval having missed out on European qualification and needing to boost their FFP position.

As it stands, movement has been in short supply, yet that is expected to change in due course with funds needing to be generated by June 30 to help with the accounts for that particular financial year.

Nevertheless, it is known that Mauricio Pochettino is keen to sign a new goalkeeper to become his number one, resulting in the likelihood of either Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy being sold.

Onana and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan are Chelsea’s preferred choices between the sticks, with the suggestion being that personal terms may have already been agreed with the former.

Onana played a key role in helping Inter to Saturday’s Champions League final, which they lost to Manchester City, and the recent consensus has been that he will remain at San Siro.

However, given the need to resolve other squad issues ahead of 2023-24, there remains scope for a transfer, something which Chelsea are seemingly keen to exploit.

According to The Sun, the West Londoners have made it clear to their Inter counterparts that they are prepared to include Lukaku and Koulibaly in any offer for Onana.

Lukaku has just completed a season back on loan at his former club, chipping in with 14 goals and seven assists after a much-improved second half to the campaign.

President Steven Zhang has publicly acknowledged that further discussions will now be held with Chelsea, although there may be difficulty in finding a resolution which suits all parties.

Meanwhile, Koulibaly struggled for consistency during his first season at Chelsea and is not expected to be first choice under Pochettino in a campaign where Chelsea will be restricted to domestic fixtures.

The Senegal international made his name in Italy with Napoli, and the departure of Milan Skriniar and likely exit of Stefan de Vrij may result in the need for Inter to sign another experienced head at the back.

Although Chelsea’s valuation of Koulibaly is unclear, they paid an alleged £33m for his signature less than 12 months, and are unlikely to significantly lower that fee given the hardball stances that they are taking with other players.