![]() Chelsea should test their resolve by bidding for Meret. Napoli are desperate to keep hold of Kalidou Koulibaly this summer, but they may need to sell one or two players to fund a revamp of their squad. The former Udinese man has re-emerged as Napoli's No.1 in the last few weeks, and has been a rare model of consistency in a turbulent campaign at the Stadio San Paolo. Gianluigi Donnarumma is better known on these shores, but the 23-year-old Meret is another young Italian goalkeeper with a bright future ahead of him. Compared to Kepa, though, Pope looks a more reliable prospect between the sticks. Impressing under Sean Dyche at Burnley doesn't necessarily mean the 28-year-old would thrive at Chelsea, where Lampard employs a very different style of play. Tipped to challenge Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson for the England No.1 jersey at next summer's European Championship, Pope is an excellent shot-stopper who rarely makes mistakes. He's kept clean sheets in 40.5% of his appearances in 2019/20, a phenomenal ratio for a player at a mid-table club. Pope has arguably been the standout goalkeeper in the Premier League this term, even if his contributions sometimes go under the radar. Out of contract in 2022, the 24-year-old is thought to be available for around £35m. ![]() ![]() He's comfortable with the ball at his feet and can help build the play from the back, while his sharp reflexes and athleticism also stand out. The big question, given issues have been raised about how previous deals have been structured, is what would be the basis on which the British record transfer would be funded - and what length of contract is being offered.Onana would be an asset to Chelsea too. Given their fury at Chelsea's previous pursuit of the player earlier this month, it is hard to imagine they would have gone back without being given some indication their attempt to sign Fernandez will be successful. Yet, at 22, he has so much potential and - don't forget - until last June, he had no experience of European football. It is clear how good the Argentina midfielder is now. Having had a £55m bid for Moises Caicedo rejected by Brighton, now they are offering to play nearly twice as much for Fernandez. Most expensive signings in British footballĪnalysis - Chelsea recruitment drive shows no sign of slowing It comes after a summer that saw them spend a Premier League record £270m - the second-highest summer spend by any club in the world after Real Madrid (£292m) in 2019. He scored once during the World Cup, netting Argentina's second goal in their 2-0 group-stage win over Mexico.Ĭhelsea have signed Noni Madueke, Mykhailo Mudryk, David Datro Fofana, Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile and Malo Gusto on permanent deals in January and brought in Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. However, it is not thought the Premier League club would have made a fresh offer without being given some indication it might be accepted.įernandez only joined Benfica from Argentinian side River Plate in August, for a reported £10m, and has scored four goals in 29 appearances for the Primeira Liga side. How can Chelsea keep spending in transfer window?īenfica have previously accused Chelsea of trying to unsettle the midfielder, with the Portuguese side's manager Roger Schmidt declaring their pursuit "closed".LIVE: Follow all of the developments on transfer deadline day.But if the deal goes through, it would eclipse the £100m Manchester City paid Aston Villa for Jack Grealish in 2021.įernandez was named young player of the tournament during Argentina's World Cup triumph in Qatar.
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