Chelsea are said to be nearing the completion of the deal to sign Chicago Fire goalie Gabriel Slonina with a medical booked for the young shot-stopper.
According to a report from the Evening Standard, the United States Under-20 international Slonina is in line to join the west London giants in a £12 million transfer with Chelsea emerging as the frontrunners for his signature.
There had been no shortage of big-name suitors for the 18-year-old with the likes of Real Madrid and Wolves credited with a strong interest in signing in the American starlet who has been a sensation in the MLS.
Chelsea will be shipping Slonina on loan to Chicago after striking an agreement to secure his signing with the youngster set to complete his breakthrough campaign back home before moving to the English capital.
Slonina becomes Chelsea’s third major capture of the transfer window this summer after they brought in England international Raheem Sterling and Senegal centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly from Manchester City and Napoli respectively.
