Chelsea are preparing an offer for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, according to the Evening Standard.
Off the back of a disappointing Premier League campaign which saw them finish 12th, the Blues will look to bolster their squad in the summer window.
Largely expected to acquire the services of a new goalkeeper, Chelsea have identified Onana as their prime target.
The 27-year-old caught the eye in Inter’s Champions League final defeat against Manchester City, where his shot-stopping and ball-playing skills stood out.
Speaking after the game, Onana revealed he is happy at Inter but also open to a move away from Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
“The truth is that I am happy here, but then at a certain level, you never know how it will go,” the Cameroon international told Sky Sport Italia (h/t FCInterNews).
“I have no problems with Inter. I have an excellent relationship with them and I’m at their disposal – I will do what they tell me.”
Onana is attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of the upcoming transfer market in England, which officially opens on Wednesday.
Inter are holding out for a fee of at least £50 million as they look to navigate a way out of their current financial cul-de-sac.
However, Chelsea could lower that fee by including Romelu Lukaku, who is on loan at Inter, in any potential deal for Onana.
While Chelsea’s new manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly open to working with him next season, Lukaku has no desire to return to Stamford Bridge. A loan extension will be discussed when talks are reopened for Onana.
If Chelsea fail in their pursuit of Onana, Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili and Brentford’s David Raya have been lined up as alternative targets, although the latter is close to agreeing personal terms with Tottenham Hotspur.
