Chelsea would be ready to offer goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as part of a deal to sign Andre Onana from Inter.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Blues are pushing to sign Onana and would be willing to part ways with the 28-year-old in order to make a deal happen.
There is no doubt that Onana is a major target for Chelsea, with the Gazzetta confirming reports that there will be a meeting in the near future where they will sound out the possibility of signing the Cameroonian.
In fact, the newspaper states, the meeting between Inter and Chelsea could even take place as early as tomorrow.
According to the Gazzetta, Onana is Chelsea’s top target ahead of Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvilli, to become their new first-choice keeper for next season.
Given that neither Edouard Mendy nor Kepa have been convincing in recent performances, Chelsea have made signing a new starting-quality keeper a major priority for the summer transfer window.
Whilst Inter would hardly be keen to part ways with the 27-year-old just twelve months after his arrival, missing out on Champions League qualification could necessitate his sale.
Manchester United have also been linked with an interest in Onana, who Inter would not sell for any less than €40 million.
Part of Chelsea’s strategy to convince Inter and beat out the competition could be to offer Kepa to Inter, considering that the 28-year-old Spanish international is a player they are trying to replace in any event.
The Spaniard was signed from Athletic Club in the summer of 2018 for a record fee in his position of around €80 million, but has never really lived up to expectations.
As such, Chelsea would like to make the switch for Onana, although it remains to be seen if Inter would have any interest in Kepa considering they have already lined up Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario as their main target to replace Onana if he leaves.
