Chelsea have turned down a €30 million offer from Serie A side Como for England international Trevoh Chalobah, dealing a blow to Cesc Fabregas’s defensive rebuild plans.
Chelsea Reject €30m Chalobah Bid from Fabregas’s Como
The Italian club submitted a proposal worth €25 million guaranteed plus €5 million in easily achievable bonuses, bringing the total package to the €30 million mark.
However, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have informed Como that they must raise their bid beyond €30 million to secure an agreement.
The rejection marks another setback for Fabregas’s ambitious project at Como, who have made the 27-year-old Chelsea academy graduate a primary target this summer.
Chalobah, who made 34 appearances for the Blues last season and scored three goals, remains keen on the move and still appears likely to depart Stamford Bridge before the window closes.
Chelsea’s firm stance stems from their valuation of the defender, with the club holding out for approximately €35 million (£30 million) plus bonuses.
The impending arrival of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace in a £52 million deal has pushed Chalobah further down the pecking order under new manager Xabi Alonso, increasing the likelihood of his departure.
Como are now weighing up alternative defensive profiles to strengthen their back line.
The Serie A side had previously seen two bids rejected in June an initial €25 million plus €2 million offer, followed by an improved €28 million plus €2 million proposal.
Saturday’s negotiations between the two clubs failed to bridge the valuation gap, leaving the deal in jeopardy.
Inter Milan had briefly been linked with the Chelsea academy product, but recent reports indicate the Nerazzurri are now pursuing a move for Tottenham’s Cristian Romero instead.
With Como yet to decide whether to launch a fourth bid or walk away, the transfer saga continues to hang in the balance.
