Chelsea and CSKA Moscow have agreed terms for a deal to sign midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, according to reliable journalist Matteo Pedrosi.
The Italian journalist, who contributes to the likes of Premium Sport and Corriere Dello Sport, claims on his personal Twitter account that the 22-year-old has rejected a transfer to Ligue 1 side Monaco, and that Serie A club Juventus have not advanced on their initial interest in the Russian international.
https://twitter.com/MatteoPedrosi/status/1019169667196293121
Playmaker Golovin – who has 23 caps for Russia – put in some dazzling performances for his country at this summer’s World Cup, held in his home country, helping his team reach the quarter-finals of the tournament before they crashed out to Croatia on penalties.
OPINION
The arrival of manager Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea is evidently bringing about new change at the club in terms of transfers. Sarri is keen to bring in new players that can fit easily into his new system, and it appears as though Golovin fits the bill. He was undoubtedly one of Russia’s brightest stars in the World Cup, and has helped them to reach the stage that they did. Chelsea were in need of some fresh talent in central midfield, and Golovin will help to link up the midfield with the attack with his reliable passing. However, it depends on what position Sarri will want him to operate in, as he can also play as an attacking midfielder – and Chelsea have an abundance of them. Nevertheless, his ability to attack from central midfield will be of great use to the Blues, who are in desperate need of more goals to challenge for the title.