The west London club are desperate to secure a new number one goalkeeper this summer, with Mauricio Pochettino keen to bring in a player who is more capable with his feet than Chelsea’s current options.
Onana, whose passing and composure on the ball impressed enormously in the Champions League final against Manchester City, has quickly emerged as their top target.
Inter are open to selling a player they snapped up on a free transfer just one year ago and are thought to be looking to secure a deal worth around £55million.
While that fee is not beyond Chelsea’s reach, ideally the Blues would like to lower the cash sum and include a player or two as part of the deal so they can simultaneously trim their incredibly bloated squad.
Mendy – who was displaced as the club’s number one by Kepa Arrizabalaga this past season – had been offered to the Nerazzurri but they have declined, instead targeting a different goalkeeper.
Now The Sun are reporting that Chelsea have held talks about offering centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as part of the deal instead, with the former Napoli man now considered surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.
The Senegalese defender remains highly regarded in Italy and Inter are in the market for a new centre-back this summer.
Romelu Lukaku could also be offered to Inter as part of the talks for Onana, though the Serie A giants are thought to be reluctant to take on his enormous salary – particularly after he played such a reduced role this season.
The 30-year-old only started 19 times in Serie A, partly as a result of injuries and partly down to a lack of form, while all eight of his appearances in the Champions League came off the bench.
Inter are increasingly resigned to losing Onana and have already identified Empoli’s Guglielmo Vicario as the man they want to replace him.
Once a deal is secured for the Italian shot-stopper, talks regarding Onana’s move to Stamford Bridge are expected to ramp up significantly.
In addition to bringing in a new goalkeeper, Chelsea also want to sign a new, proven goalscorer to lead their attack as well as a holding midfielder to sit alongside Enzo Fernandez, while they need to offload a host of fringe players and trim their bloated squad.
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