Chelsea move to second-choice target after ending interest in Man United target Andre Onana

Chelsea end interest in Manchester United target Andre Onana

Chelsea have turned their interest to Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili after ending their pursuit of Inter Milan goalkeeper and Manchester United target Andre Onana.

They could be put off by Inter’s asking price, who are demanding £50million for the Cameroonian shot-stopper. According to Evening Standard, they also stopped their pursuit of AC Milan’s £80million-rated Mike Maignan.

Mamardashvili is a 22-year-old Georgian international playing for Los Che since his move from Dinamo Tbilisi in January 2022. The 1.97m goalie is a very strong presence between the sticks.

Hopefully, he is a financially sound option for us after ending our interest in the two Milan-based goalies. Truth be told, Mamardashvili’s price tag has to be a proper bargain.

No Onana for Chelsea

His deal runs until June 2027 (Transfermarkt). Given his age, ceiling and Chelsea’s desperation to add competition for Kepa Arrizabalaga, it won’t be a surprise if Valencia place a big price tag on him.

And in that case, people will be scratching their heads why we didn’t add a few bucks to sign Onana instead. The Inter star is 27, has shown his ability on the big stage, and most importantly, is brilliant with his passing.

He is a proper leader at the back and is virtually free from errors we have seen Kepa make over the years. But let’s see. Brentford’s David Raya is also touted as an option and so is Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.

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Manchester United now have a free run at Onana. The problem here would be that not only will we miss out on a quality player, but also allow our rival to strengthen themselves.