Chelsea have agreed a $15 million (£12.3 million) fee with Chicago Fire for young goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
The Blues have been linked with a move for Slonina in recent times, with second-choice 'keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga seemingly on his way to Serie A side Napoli on loan. Now, Romano has taken to social media to deliver an update on their move for the MLS star, claiming that the player and his agent will arrive in London today to complete his medical and sign.
He wrote on Twitter: "Excl: Gaga Slonina to Chelsea, here we go! Agreement with Chicago Fire for $15m, add-ons included. Talented GK and his agent will fly to London on Sunday to complete medical and sign.
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"Slonina will finish the season with Chicago before joining Chelsea on January 1." Slonina has been compared to Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer in the past, high praise indeed for a player who is still just 18-years-old.
"I use it as motivation," the teenager told GOAL when asked about comparisons to Neuer and Italian icon Gianluigi Buffon. "I'm already getting compared to them, so why can't I be at that level?
"What work can I do now to be at that level? What extra can I add to my game to start to play like them and be where they're at right now?
"Being compared to them is an incredible honour. It's insane to see my name next to theirs because they're the top goalkeepers in the world.
"They've accomplished so many big things that I hope to accomplish in my career."
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