Chelsea have reportedly added Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to their summer transfer shortlist as Manchester United continue to up the ante for Inter Milan’s Andre Onana. The Cameroonian had been wanted by Mauricio Pochettino before the Champions League finalists slapped a mega price tag on Onana, who was initially valued at upwards of £60million.
Now Inter look prepared to soften their stance but Chelsea have already made adjustments to their goalkeeping plans with Pochettino expected to stick with Kepa Arrizabalaga as his No 1 for the 2023/24 campaign.
It means the Blues are in the market for some cover for the Spaniard as opposed to signing a replacement following Edouard Mendy’s transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Shakhtar’s 21-year-old shot-stopper Trubin is the man Chelsea are targeting and there is hope a deal can be agreed this summer.
The Ukrainian is valued at around £19million by Transfermarkt and is considered to be one of the best young goalkeeping prospects in Europe.
Trubin has kept 14 clean sheets in 28 Ukrainian Premier Liga matches for Shakhtar this term and also featured six times in the Champions League for the Ukrainian giants.
He has been capped seven times at international level by Ukraine as his stock continues to grow following his impressive breakthrough at Shakhtar back in the 2020/21 season.
In 94 senior outings for Shakhtar, the goalkeeper has achieved 39 clean sheets and is being tracked by a number of clubs inside Europe’s top-five leagues.
If Chelsea were to sign Trubin, the idea is that he would arrive to provide cover and competition for Arrizabalaga as the Spaniard fights to nail down a starting berth.
The former Athletic Bilbao man reclaimed his place as Chelsea’s No 1 last season after Mendy suffered a number of injuries including a finger problem that required surgery in January.
Chelsea are prepared to stick with Arrizabalaga providing he continues to improve his game following his return to form last season.
The 28-year-old was even handed the captain’s armband by Frank Lampard for the 2-1 defeat to Brighton during Chelsea’s miserable end to the season.
Gabriel Slonina is also looking to make an impact at Stamford Bridge as he is yet to feature at senior level for the Blues since his 2022 transfer from Chicago Fire.
United are hopeful of striking a deal with Inter for Onana whose valuation has decreased to around £50m.
The Red Devils have held face-to-face talks with the player’s agent and Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio in a bid to find a resolution.
David de Gea’s future at Old Trafford remains in serious doubt and Erik ten Hag is therefore keen on a reunion with his former Ajax goalkeeper.
Onana has already publicly declared he is happy at Inter but every player has a price and the Nerazzurri are slowly warming to the idea of a sale.
Other options for United include Porto’s Diogo Costa.
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