Fabregas's Como want Chalobah: €25 million bid

Serie A side Como have turned to Chelsea's English defender Trevoh Chalobah to strengthen their backline. According to Sky Sport Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, Como have made an official bid for the 26-year-old worth €25 million plus a further €2 million in add-ons.

Chelsea, however, did not consider the offer sufficient and turned it down. The London club is demanding a guaranteed €30 million plus €5 million in bonuses, a total of €35 million. This gap between the two clubs stands as the main obstacle to the deal.

Managed by Cesc Fàbregas, Como want to strengthen their squad on the back of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history, with Chalobah among the defensive reinforcements identified for that goal. The official bid reached Chelsea on June 24. Como are not the only club keen on Chalobah, though: Italian champions Inter are also monitoring the defender closely and are seen as a serious alternative, able to offer guaranteed Champions League football.

Under contract at Chelsea until 2028, with the club holding a one-year extension option, Chalobah is currently with England at the World Cup. The centre-back was called up to the tournament as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento.

For Chelsea, the logic of the deal is clear: as a graduate of the Cobham academy, any fee from Chalobah's sale would be recorded as "pure profit" in the club's accounts. Under pressure over financial rules and open to sales to balance their spending, Chelsea are reshaping their defence under coach Xabi Alonso. Whether Como improve their offer in the coming period, and whether Inter step in, will shape how the situation develops.

Source: Di Marzio
Image: Metro