Mauricio Pochettino has given ‘green light’ on first Chelsea signing, he would be a massive coup

Mauricio Pochettino has given Chelsea the green light to make their first summer signing.

The Blues are guaranteed to finish outside the top 10 for the first time since 1996 after a dismal season that has seen two managerial sackings and a £600million transfer spend.

Now former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain manager Pochettino is close to becoming Chelsea manager.

The Argentinian will primarily be tasked with shedding several players from an overpopulated squad.

Moreover, the goalkeeper position will need to be filled as a priority. Both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy have endured unconvincing campaigns, and it seems Pochettino has already given the green light for their replacement.

Chelsea to sign Andre Onana?

According to Inter Live, Pochettino has given Chelsea the green light to make a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana this summer.

Moreover, Mateo Kovacic may be used as a makeweight for the transfer. Indeed, should the Croatian be used as a sweetener he would be returning to the San Siro, where he plied his trade between 2013 and 2015.

Kovacic’s contract is set to expire in 2024, and he has been linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent weeks. Manchester City are among the clubs that have been linked to the Croatian international, however, Kovacic is allegedly open to a return to the Serie A side.

The same outlet claimed that Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Trevoh Chalobah were also unsuccessfully suggested as options for a swap deal with Onana.

Onana has been central to the fortunes of Simone Inzaghi's side, having usurped the experienced Samir Handanovic to become the new club’s No.1.

Furthermore, he has proven crucial to the club’s run to the Champions League final, where they will come up against City.

Negotiations between Inter and Chelsea will take place this summer regardless of whether a transfer for Onana happens, given Romelu Lukaku's future beyond his loan spell is uncertain.

The Belgian joined the Blues for £97.5million two years ago but after struggling to rise to expectations, found himself returning to Inter before the start of this season.

Topics: Inter Milan, Premier League, Chelsea, Transfers, Todd Boehly

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.