TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
UPDATE (July 12) – Conversations between Chicago Fire FC and Chelsea for homegrown goalkeeper Gaga Slonina aren't as advanced as they first appeared, according to The Athletic's Paul Tenorio.
ORIGINAL (July 11) – One of MLS's biggest transfer sagas may soon be over as five-time English Premier League champions Chelsea FC have reached a verbal agreement with Chicago Fire FC for US men's national team goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, per a report from Fabrizio Romano.
Talks with the club went as high up as Chelsea's new American owner Todd Boehly, per Romano, and the Blues are reportedly planning to make their official bid for the 18-year-old as early as this week. The deal is expected to be around $10 million plus add-ons, making the homegrown standout one of the most expensive outbound transfers in MLS history.
As MLSsoccer.com's Tom Bogert has reported, the offer would see Slonina stay with Chicago on loan, likely through the 2022 MLS season.
Chelsea seemingly overtook Real Madrid in negotiations for the goalkeeper after the Fire turned down the current UEFA Champions League winner's bid back in early June.
Slonina's arrival to the Premier League would group him with other USMNT goalkeepers within the "top six" of England's biggest clubs, including Zack Steffen at Manchester City and Matt Turner at Arsenal.
Slonina has recorded 11 clean sheets in 30 appearances since taking the starting role for Chicago in 2021 and has been one of the only bright spots of the Windy City club this season. The Fire are last in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points (4W-10L-5D) entering the second half of their 2022 campaign.
