Chelsea are preparing to make their first – and last summer transfer – after Xabi Alonso has singled out one of the world’s best goalkeepers as “the last piece of the puzzle”.
There has been hectic activity behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge this summer. A number of new signings have taken the club’s total transfer spending to around £300 million – over 3.5 billion Norwegian kroner.
Amazingly enough, Norwegian Antonio Nusa has as an alternative to superstar Vinicius Junior
Morgan Rogers became the most expensive British player of all time when he arrived from Aston Villa for £117 million. In addition, Maxence Lacroix (52 million), Marco Palestra (43 million), Geovany Quenda (40 million) and Valentin Barco (34 million) have been brought in for large sums.
From young team to experienced crew
At the start of the window, the average age of Chelsea’s squad was just 23.6 years old – without a single player over 30. That has changed after the arrival of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. And now it seems that they are in the process of bringing in another experienced profile.
According to Spanish Mundo Deportivo , Xabi Alonso has identified FC Porto’s Diogo Costa as “the last piece of the puzzle”. And Chelsea are ready to trigger the 26-year-old’s €60 million buyout clause – around £51 million.
Costa has over 250 caps for Porto and 48 caps for Portugal. Robert Sanchez established himself as the first goalkeeper last season, but the goalkeeper spot at Stamford Bridge has long been seen as a weak point. Costa will therefore be welcomed by many.
Two strikers could disappear
Chelsea have gradually got a very tightly packed attack. Following the arrival of Danny Welbeck, they have Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Emmanuel Emegha in addition to Joao Pedro.
Emegha officially became a Chelsea player at the beginning of July, after the club already agreed a deal with Strasbourg worth £22 million in September. But according to Fabrizio Romano, there is a “possibility” that the 23-year-old will leave the club if a “good offer” comes.
Romano also claims that Chelsea are “open” to selling Liam Delap for an acceptable bid – even if the former Ipswich striker wants to stay and fight for his place.
Costa – the last big piece?
With Diogo Costa in place, Chelsea will have brought in a goalkeeper of absolute top class – and Xabi Alonso will get what he asks for. The question is whether they will have to get rid of some of the many strikers at the same time in order to balance the accounts. Either way: The last nightmare signing of the summer could be the most important.
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