Trevoh Chalobah in advanced talks over £26m move from Chelsea to Como

Trevoh Chalobah is closing in on a permanent move from Chelsea to Como, with negotiations understood to be at an advanced stage and the latest offer viewed as potentially sufficient to seal the deal in the coming days.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that the Italian club have returned with a fresh proposal worth about £26m after Chelsea rejected two earlier bids. The new offer is believed to have moved discussions into what has been described as an advanced phase, with talks expected to accelerate over the weekend.

Chelsea had initially been seeking a fixed £30m fee plus a further £5m in add-ons, but the club now appears ready to soften its stance to ensure the transfer is completed.

Selling academy graduate Chalobah would represent pure profit on the balance sheet and help Chelsea in meeting the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability regulations.

If the move goes through, it would bring an end to Chalobah’s 19-year association with Chelsea, having joined the club as a youngster before progressing through the academy to the first team.

The 27-year-old defender has made 151 senior appearances for Chelsea and also spent time out on four separate loan spells earlier in his career.

Competition for places under Alonso

Chalobah is seeking regular first-team football, something considered difficult to guarantee at Stamford Bridge under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

The defender faces significant competition for places from Maxence Lacroix, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Mamadou Sarr, Aaron Anselmino, Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato.

Chelsea are preparing to strengthen their back line further with the arrival of France international Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace, a move that could open the door for several defenders to depart. Axel Disasi and Chalobah are viewed as among the leading candidates to leave once Lacroix’s signing is completed.

Como push to complete deal

Como are regarded as the frontrunners for Chalobah’s signature despite seeing their first two offers turned down by Chelsea.

The club’s latest proposal, around £26m, is intended to break the deadlock and secure an agreement, with both sides now thought to be working towards finding final common ground on the structure of the deal.

A switch to Como would hand Chalobah the chance to play under former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is part of the coaching setup at the Italian club.

It would also give him the opportunity to feature in the Champions League with Como, who have made notable progress in recent seasons and are looking to consolidate their rise by adding top-flight experience to their squad.

Chalobah remains under contract at Stamford Bridge, but with Chelsea’s defensive reshuffle under way and financial considerations in play, all parties are now edging closer to a resolution over his long-term future.