Chelsea eye £9m transfer to solve problem position with ex-Arsenal star who last played in Premier League 9 years ago
CHELSEA are reportedly plotting a shock swoop to bring an ex-Arsenal star back to London.
Transfer business between the clubs has grown over recent years with both Jorginho and Kai Havertz heading from the Blues to the Emirates.
But this ace last played in the Premier League nine years and has since won several big prizes in Italy.
Now Mauricio Pochettino could allegedly move to try and snap him up and solve a problem position.
Todd Boehly has splashed out over £1billion on players since he took over at Stamford Bridge.
That has seen both goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic arrive at the club.
The Spaniard, 26, started the campaign as first-choice after last summer’s move from Brighton.
However, an injury allowed Serbian Petrovic, who joined in August from New England Revolution, the chance to shine and he’s kept the No.1 spot since.
But Tutto Juve is suggesting that Poch is still not happy with his goalie options.
And they state that Chelsea could be set to make another signing in that department by targeting Juventus‘ Wojciech Szczesny.
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The 34-year-old is believed to be available for around £8.5m and Monza’s Michele Di Gregorio is already looking to replace him.
He still has a year remaining on his deal, which is widely-reported to be worth around £125,000-a-week.
But the Italian club wants to reduce their wage bill and the Polish international is one of those they are said to be prepared to listen to offers for.
Szczesny has made 32 appearances in Serie A so far this season and kept 15 clean sheets as they sit third in the top-flight.
He already has experience of England having spent 11 years at Arsenal from 2006 when he joined their academy from Legia Warsaw.
The ace made his debut under Arsene Wenger in 2009 and played 181 times for the Gunners after gaining experience on loan at Brentford.
Dave Kidd: Why I’ve voted for Cole Palmer to be Footballer of the Year despite Chelsea woes
By Dave Kidd
THE voting for the Footballer of the Year award closes on Tuesday and, unlike many, I’ve gone for Cole Palmer.
Most Football Writers’ Association members vote by starting with the likely Prem champs and work backwards. So the winner will be Phil Foden, Rodri, Declan Rice or Martin Odegaard.
There is dissent if a player from a less successful team wins, like David Ginola from mid-table Spurs in Manchester United’s ’99 Treble- winning year.
But enjoying a superb individual season in a poor team is a greater achievement.
And for Palmer — just 21 and in his first season as a regular starter — to have chalked up 23 goals and 13 assists in such a basket-case team as Chelsea, makes him this season’s outstanding player.
Read Dave Kidd’s full column here
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He remains a popular figure with supporters after helping them to two FA Cup successes.
However, he grew tired of waiting to be No.1 and, after a two-year loan at Roma, he left permanently for Juventus in 2017.
Since then he has won Serie A three times and also has two Coppa Italia medals in his collection.
Szczesny has played 249 times in total for the Old Lady.
Wojciech Szczesny - The CV
All you need to know about the 34-year-old goalie:
Clubs:
Arsenal, Brentford (loan), Roma, Juventus
International:
Poland (81 caps)
Club honours:
Arsenal
FA Cup (2014, 2015)
Community Shield (2014)
Juventus
Serie A (2018, 2019, 2020)
Coppa Italia (2018, 2021)
Italian Super Cup (2018, 2020)