Chelsea are preparing to compete with Real Madrid for Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina with the Blues set to launch an £8 million deal

Chelsea has launched an offer for highly rated Chicago Fire goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina after Real Madrid’s proposal was turned down.

Chelsea are hoping to sign the 18-year-old, who turned down a senior call-up from Poland last month in order to profess his allegiance to the United States. As part of the deal, Fire would prefer to keep the 18-year-old on loan for the time being.Slonina has already made over 20 MLS games and has a promising career ahead of her.

When he made his debut in a goalless draw against New York City in August 2021 he became the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in MLS history. Presnel Kimpembe, a Chelsea target, wants to talk to PSG about his future after the French club made an offer for Inter defender Milan Skriniar.

Kimpembe has two years remaining on his contract at PSG.

With Antonio Rudiger joining Real Madrid and Andreas Christensen also set to depart, Chelsea could look to bring in a new centre-back.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is determined to add to his squad following Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club.

Ousmane Dembele, who has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge, is set to leave Barcelona.

The winger is poised to be available on a free transfer from the start of July.

How good is Gabriel Slonina?

Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to ever start a match and keep a clean sheet in MLS history back in August 2021 at the age of 17 years and 81 days.

He eventually established himself as the undisputed starter for the Chicago Fire and made 11 appearances in the 2021 season. He’s now reached 30 appearances for the senior team.

slonina had previously signed a homegrown contract with Chicago at the age of 14, becoming the second-youngest signing in MLS history.

He has also represented America at youth level all the way up to the under 20s and had been named in Poland’s UEFA Nations League squad in May. However, he has since decided to commit his international future to the USMNT.