According to reports from The Express this afternoon, Chelsea are ‘set to beat Arsenal’ to the signing of Marco Amelia – with the goalkeeper expected to put pen to paper tomorrow.
The 33 year-old was part of Marcello Lippi’s World Cup-winning Italy squad in 2006 and has represented Livorno, Palermo, Genoa and AC Milan throughout his club career, making 317 appearances across all competitions.
But he left the San Siro in 2014 and has been a free agent since the end of last season, following an unsuccessful spell with Perugia.
Arsenal were reportedly targeting the nine-cap international during the summer but he was invited for a trial at Chelsea earlier this week amid a goalkeeping crisis at Stamford Bridge.
Blues No.1 Thibaut Courtois has been sidelined until December following a knee operation, meaning Chelsea will be dependent on 21 year-old Jamal Blackman, who has made just one competitive appearance to date, if understudy Asmir Begovic is injured or suspended.
According to The Express, who cite Sky Sport Italia, Amelia is expected to sign on the dotted line tomorrow. The veteran shot-stopper will act as cover until the end of the season when his contract expires.
Also in the news this week:
Arsenal eyeing La Liga’s top scorer in reasonably priced January swoop
Ronaldo, a bottle of wine and Manchester United
Newcastle join Arsenal in race for Belgium strike prodigy
Five formidable forward linked with January moves to Arsenal
[ad_pod id=’video’ align=’center’]