Como agree to meet Chelsea’s €30m asking price for Trevoh Chalobah | OneFootball

Como have agreed to meet Chelsea’s €30 million (£26m) asking price for Trevoh Chalobah, according to Italian journalist Daniele Longo.

The Serie A outfit had initially offered €28m (£24m) plus bonuses, but Chelsea stood firm on their €30m valuation of the England international.

Como have made Chalobah a priority defensive target and are now close to securing a deal for the 27-year-old.

The Sierra Leone-born defender was a mainstay in Chelsea’s defence last season but is expected to lose his place following Levi Colwill’s return from an ACL injury.

Maxence Lacroix’s arrival from Crystal Palace is also expected to push Chalobah further down the pecking order.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has reportedly settled for Colwill, Lacroix, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo and Aaron Anselmino as his centre-back options for next season.

Chalobah, Axel Disasi, and Benoit Badiashile are poised to be sold, while Mamadou Sarr could leave on loan.

A move to Como could benefit Chalobah, given his previous connection with the Italian club’s head coach, Cesc Fabregas.

The Chelsea academy graduate began training regularly with the senior squad while Fabregas was still a first-team player for the west London side.

However, Chalobah may have to fight for a starting berth, with Jacobo Ramon and Marc Oliver Kempf establishing themselves as the first-choice centre-back pairing.

Ramon and Kempf were magnificent last season, helping Como concede the fewest goals in Serie A. The former was named in the division’s Team of the Season.

Nonetheless, Chalobah would add greater strength, composure and defensive solidity to Fabregas’ back line. His versatility would also provide valuable tactical flexibility.