The summer transfer window is drawing to a close so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea close-in on another signing…
Chelsea are set to sign Dinamo Zagreb goalkeeper Eduardo as Antonio Conte closes-in on making his third signing of the summer, according to Sky Sports News.
Eduardo is an experienced goalkeeper having made 70 appearances for Zagreb since joining the club from Genoa in the summer of 2014 and played a key role in helping them win successive Croatian league titles.
The 33-year-old is also a regular in the Portuguese squad with 34 caps to his name so far and was part of the squad that won Euro 2016 this summer – although he failed to make an appearance having deputised for No.1 Rui Patricio.
Eduardo has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks and it looks as though the deal is now on the verge of completion as Sky Sports News claim that the keeper is set to seal a switch to Stamford Bridge over the coming days.
The news comes after Zagreb boss Zlatko Kranjcar confirmed over the weekend that Eduardo is expected to leave the club after being given the opportunity to play for a ‘big club like Chelsea’.
When asked about whether this week’s Champions League play-off second leg against Red Bull Salzburg will be Eduardo’s final game for Zagreb, Kranjcar is quoted as saying by Sky Sports:
“Yes, I think so.
“Eduardo has been given an amazing opportunity to leave for a big club like Chelsea.
“When he arrived we gained security in our team, and in my time in the club he has defended his goal very well. But the situation is that he is leaving. May he have all the good luck in a big club.”
Thibaut Courtois is Chelsea’s established number one goalkeeper so once Eduardo finalises his switch to west London, you’d expect it may pave the pay for Asmir Begovic to find a new club.
The Bosnian international has struggled to oust Courtois from the first team since joining the club from Stoke City last summer so it looks as though Conte is going to allow the 29-year-old to leave in search of regular action.
Eduardo will therefore replace Begovic as Chelsea’s new No.2 goalkeeper and will become Conte’s third major signing of the summer following the arrivals of midfielder N’Golo Kante and striker Michy Batshuayi.
READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news
Chelsea seem to have a lack of goalkeepers right now after passing up the opportunity to re-sign Marco Amelia this summer while youngster Jamal Blackman joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan last week.
