Chicago goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina (1) gestures during the MLS match between Chicago Fire and Atlanta United FC on May 7th, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. |
Chicago Fire could soon be losing a talented young goalkeeper to Europe.
Gabriel Slonina, 18, is reportedly a hot target for major teams
overseas, with Real Madrid of La Liga reportedly preparing a bid to land the
youngster, according to football journalist Fabrizio Romano:
Exclusive: Real Madrid are preparing opening bid for talented goalkepeer Gabriel Slonina, born in 2004. ⭐️🇺🇸 #RealMadrid
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2022
Chicago Fire are waiting for the first proposal to arrive soon for USMNT goalkeeper. #MLS pic.twitter.com/gvEwOlxpaN
The USMNT international has been Chicago’s first-choice
goalie despite being young at his position. He has logged five clean sheets in
14 appearances this season with a 58.3% save rate. In total, he has nine clean
sheets in 25 games after getting the starting nod late in the 2021 campaign.
Though Romano did not specify a transfer fee, it would be a vital
development for Chicago to have a homegrown player wanted by one of the top
clubs in the world. Madrid, fresh off its 14th UEFA
Champions League win, also has Thibaut Courtois and
Andriy Lunin in the pecking order.
Romano also reported that Chelsea of the English Premier League and Bayern Munich of Bundesliga, the top German league, also have interest in the 6-foot-4 shotblocker, so it’s safe to say Slonina is bound for Europe sooner rather than later.