Attila Szalai is a bullish defender for Turkish side, Fenerbahce.
According to transfer news on Calciomercato (h/t ESPN), Napoli have joined Chelsea in the race to secure the services of Fenerbahce star Attila Szalai.
The 23-year-old defender has made 46 appearances for the Turkish club since joining at the start of the year. However, he has already garnered interest from a couple of clubs, including Chelsea.
The Blues shall have four defenders out of contract in the summer and might be planning on bringing in reinforcements as soon as possible. Quite recently, the Hungary national team boss, coach Marco Rossi also revealed that Szalai has already agreed to join the West London club. Fenerbahce however went on to deny these allegations.
Thus, the Stamford Bridge outfit are keen on him but will now face competition from Napoli. The Italian club are looking to add a centre-back to their ranks after one of their key men, Kostas Manolas, decided to join Olympiakos last week.
It is alarming that the Blues are yet to tie down any one of their four main defenders to a long-term deal. Tuchel has found success in the Premier League on the back of a stingy backline, and although it has been penetrated quite a bit in recent weeks, it remains a crucial part of the club’s style.
Regardless, Marina Granovskaia would be expected to retain at least a couple of the centre-backs. It would still mean letting go of two world-class options, and the London club needs to make up for that by signing quality players. Szalai lives up to the billing since he is still reasonably young and is highly rated in the Turkish league.
The Hungary international is a relatively unknown prospect as compared to some of our other targets in Jules Kounde or Matthijs de Ligt, according to Eurosport. However, any foreign defender will need to adjust to a new country and a new league.
Napoli are a threat in this transfer tussle since they are building an attractive project under Luciano Spalleti in Italy. They are also competing for the Serie A title race and are likely to land a UEFA Champions League spot for next season. However, the Blues could offer the Hungarian defender the prospect of playing amongst European champions and a chance for success.
There is very little known about the player’s ambitions. But Tuchel and co shall be hoping that Szalai makes Stamford Bridge his destination should he decide to part ways with Fenerbahce anytime soon.
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