Blow for Chelsea as goalkeeping target wants to join European rivals

Transfer News: Blow for Chelsea as Gabriel Slonina wants to join Real Madrid

Speaking in an interview as quoted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the agent of Chicago Fire goalie Gabriel Slonina has confirmed that his client wants to move to Real Madrid.

It is not often that players from the MLS gain attention from the giants in Europe but Slonina is no normal player. The American starlet is one of the biggest prospects in the North American league and has been sensational for Chicago Fire.

The teenage starlet has played 24 times for the MLS club this season conceding just 36 goals and keeping nine clean sheets across all competitions. Anyone who has seen the wonderkid play knows that the 18-year-old has what it takes to become a huge hit in European football.

Chelsea have been credited with a long-term interest in the talented American but it seems unlikely that the Blues will land him. The player’s entourage has been pretty vocal about his desire to join Real Madrid with the Spanish giants also keen on the player.

A necessity?

Landing upon the American goalie would have been perfect for the Blues but with Slonina going elsewhere, Chelsea will have to look at other options.

Whilst Eduardo Mendy is undoubtedly Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper and will continue to do so for many years to come. The Senegalese international has been a revelation ever since he joined the Blues and shows no signs of slowing down.

Transfer News: Blow for Chelsea as Gabriel Slonina wants to join Real Madrid. (Courtesy of the Fire)
Transfer News: Real Madrid lead Chelsea in Gabriel Slonina race. (Courtesy of the Fire)

However, their back-up keeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga has failed to impress during his time at Stamford Bridge. The Spaniard will not want to stick around at Chelsea and might want to fulfil the role of a starter elsewhere.

The Blues will have to dip into the market for a quality back-up keeper who can prove to be a capable understudy to Mendy and eventually take over from the Senegalese in the future. A younger keeper would be perfect for Chelsea and it remains to be seen how they go about it.

More Chelsea News

Gabriel Slonina is apparently not coming to Chelsea and it remains to be seen who the Blues decide to sign instead for the backup keeper’s role.