Transfer News: Chelsea ‘agree £20million deal’ for Fenerbahce defender Attila Szalai
According to Turkish news outlet CNN Turk (h/t Express), Chelsea have agreed on a £20million deal for Attila Szalai in order to strengthen their defensive unit.
Szalai has been a reliable defensive unit for the Turkish team. Furthermore, he had a noticeable impact on the Hungary side in the EURO 2020. In recent times his consistent performances have procured an admirer from England in Chelsea.
It is believed that Chelsea have agreed to a fee in the region of £20million with Fenerbahce to sign the 23-year-old Hungarian defender in January. The Blues accepted a six-year contract with £3.4million per year in wages.
The European champion’s performance on the pitch seems all sorted out under the German manager Thomas Tuchel. But their off-the-pitch transfer talks have been causing some huge speculations, specifically with the defensive players.
Four players from their usual backline are currently serving the final year of their contract terms, and they would be eligible to talk with foreign teams from January.
Out of the four, the long-serving Spaniard, Cesar Azpilicueta, seems to be optimistic about staying in Stamford Bridge. But the same certainty doesn’t apply to his teammate’s future. The most uncertain ones are Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.
Despite the German’s contract renewal talks going against what the West London team anticipated, they had confidence in the Danish player’s intentions to stay at the Bridge. But it seems his agent’s last-minute term reducing demand has disputed the talks.
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Thus they would be hoping to go big to secure some robust backups in the coming transfer window. The Blues targetted some defenders in the recent few weeks, Jules Kounde being one. But it seems they have made a breakthrough in the Attila Szalai deal.
Amid the uncertainty of the West London team’s key backline, it could prove a beneficial decision from the board. Chelsea remains top of the table 3 points clear of Manchester City. We would get an impressive depth for the season if the board completes the signing in the winter window and the transfer fee also does not seem exorbitant for a player of his quality.