Boss Confirms Colombian Attacker Will Join Chelsea, Medical Booked On Saturday

With the January transfer window coming to a close, managers are frantically trying to tie-up those late deals and strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today,

Fiorentina boss Vincenzo Montella has confirmed that Juan Cuadrado will join Chelsea with Mohamed Salah heading to Italy on loan as part of the deal.

Widespread reports over the past 24 hours have suggested that Chelsea were on the verge of signing Cuadrado as a replacement for want-away attacker Andre Schurrle – whose set to join Wolfsburg.

The Evening Standard were one of several media outlets to claim that the Blues had finally agreed a deal with Fiorentina that would see them pay around €31m (£23.3m) up front and send Salah on loan in the opposite direction.

Now, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella has confirmed the deal this evening, telling reports that the club weren’t in a position to be able to turn down Chelsea’s offer, but he doesn’t think the team should be any weaker with Salah coming in as a direct replacement for the Colombian international.

Montella told reporters:

“It was a negotiation which had to be done. From my point of view it’s disappointing, but the club did the right thing.

“A top player has left us, but I still see similar characteristics in Salah. I don’t think [selling Cuadrado] means we have taken a step backwards. [Cuadrado] is a professional and he always wants to play, and I’m pleased because he’s joining a top club.”

“Naturally, we need to understand how long he (Salah) will need to adapt to our football as it’s different from the English and Swiss leagues. From a defensive standpoint, Cuadrado guarantees us a lot more than Salah.

“Cuadrado is a player that has always arrived with a smile and given everything to Fiorentina. I am convinced that if he could have played tomorrow he would have.” Montella is quoted as saying by ESPN

According to reports in Italy, Cuadrado has already said his goodbyes to the Fiorentina players and is now heading to Rome before catching an early morning flight to London on Saturday where he’ll then undergo his medical with Chelsea and sign his contract.

Cuadrado won’t be registered in time to face Manchester City tomorrow evening but I’m sure he’ll be in the crowd at Stamford Bridge cheering on his new team mates.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news

Chelsea are yet to make any announcement concerning the impending arrival of the player, but I’m sure Fiorentina’s manager is a safe enough source to assume it’s all-but a ‘done deal’.