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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Kieran King

Mauricio Pochettino dealt Chelsea transfer blow forcing him to switch target

Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta has revealed that goalkeeper Andre Onana is not for sale this summer.

Onana, 27, has been linked with a move to Chelsea with incoming boss Mauricio Pochettino expected to sign a new keeper once he is finally put in place. The Argentine will be announced as the next Blues boss in the coming days after reaching an agreement with the club's co-owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

Pochettino is set to oversee a major overhaul of his squad at the end of the season given the amount of money Boehly has spent in his first year at Stamford Bridge. The former Tottenham boss could address the goalkeeper position first, given Kepa Arrizabalaga and Eduoard Mendy's recent poor form.

Onana has been tipped to make the switch to the Blues after an impressive season at Inter. The Cameroonian kept another clean sheet in Inter's 2-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League semi-final first-leg on Wednesday. However, Onana is not for sale, according to chief executive Marotta.

As quoted by Gazzetta dello Sport, Marotta said: "It is difficult to predict the future. But we have not received any offers and the goalkeeper wants to stay here. We do not intend to put him on the market."

Talks have taken place over Onana's future, despite making the move from Ajax last summer on a five-year deal. He has made 37 appearances in all competitions this season - and has impressed.

"Onana leaving for €40m? I’d rule this out, honestly. We think he will stay," he added. "We have not received any offers and Onana is happy in Milano, he wants to stay here. We do not plan to sell him."

Andre Onana has been linked with a move to Inter Milan (Getty Images)

When he is officially confirmed as Chelsea boss, Pochettino will have to look elsewhere for a new shot-stopper. But there are other options to choose from, with Emiliano Martinez the latest candidate. Martinez is understood to be considering his future at Villa despite a fine season under Unai Emery.

The 30-year-old emerged as the penalty shootout hero in December as Argentina lifted a first World Cup since 1986. He has also been a key contributor in Villa’s surge up the Premier League table from relegation trouble to top six contenders.

The Midlands club splashed out £17million to take him from Arsenal three years ago. But after Argentina’s World Cup triumph, Emery revealed he was not a fan of Martinez’s antics during the final and pledged to speak to him about it.

Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford and David Raya have also been linked with a move to Chelsea. Pickford has impressed for Everton despite the Toffees' relegation battle, while Raya could leave Brentford at the end of the season.

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