14 June 2023 , 09:57
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Chelsea are set to open talks for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana and are willing to offer up to four Blues stars in part-exchange.
Inter officials are due in London this week to discuss a £50million deal for Onana, who impressed in their run to the Champions League final.
New Stamford Bridge boss Mauricio Pochettino wants a shot-stopper who is very good at distribution which Onana has displayed at both Inter and Ajax, whom he left last summer.
Cameroon ace Onana, who kept Erling Haaland at bay in Turkey, was only beaten by an inch-perfect shot from Rodri in the Manchester City's Champions League triumph.
The 27-year-old kept his cards close to his chest in the wake of defeat against City, but hinted he would be on board with whatever Inter decide. Asked about a potential move this summer, he told reporters: "I don’t know. The truth is that I’m happy here, but then at a certain level you never know how it will go.
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"I have no problems with Inter. I have an excellent relationship with them and I’m at their disposal. I’ll do what they tell me."
Chelsea intend to use talks with the Italian club to offer them a choice of Romelu Lukaku, 30, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 27, Trevoh Chalobah, 23, and Kalidou Koulibaly, 31, in exchange.
Romelu Lukaku hopes to return to Inter next season (ANP via Getty Images)Lukaku has just spent the season on loan at Inter but the Italian club are struggling to afford his staggering £325,000-a-week wages. He has also been linked with a money-spinning move to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, although it is understood he is holding out for a return to the San Siro.
And Inter hope to use Chelsea’s interest in Onana to strike a more affordable deal. Inter president Steven Zhang recently admitted that the club are determined to find a way to keep Lukaku next season.
"He showed great attachment to Inter," Zhang said after the Champions League finail. He loves Inter, that's very clear. He's an amazing guy. But the guy has a contract with Chelsea, so we have to wait to talk to them to understand."
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has also spoken about Lukaku's uncertain future, telling Radio Rai in May: "Romelu loves the shirt he wears, he is very comfortable at Inter. These are fundamental aspects, this desire of his to be with us."
Other fringe players available as make-weights in the deal include midfielders Loftus-Cheek, the versatile Chalobah and defender Koulibaly.
Inter are likely to replace Onana with Guglielmo Vicario from Serie A rivals Empoli.
Other players likely to go in Pochettino’s shake up are keeper Edouard Mendy and potentially Kepa Arrizabalaga too. If both leave, Chelsea could also make a move for Brighton ’s Robert Sanchez who lost his place to Jason Steele in the second-half of the season.