Chelsea make £30m bid to sign 24-year-old Serie A star: Reports
Chelsea have made an attempt to sign Lazio centre-back Mario Gila for £30 million this summer, as per reports in Italy. The Blues are keen to strengthen their ranks in the transfer window ahead of making a return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2022.
Il Messaggero reports (via Metro.co.uk) that Lazio have received Chelsea's bid for the Spanish defender but turned down the offer immediately. The 24-year-old is attracting interest from multiple clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Bournemouth, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as Lazio hopes to keep hold of him.
The Serie A side are said to be prepared to listen to offers of around £50 million for the former Real Madrid defender, who is one of their prized assets. His performances earned him a first invitation to the Spanish national team earlier this year but he did not get to make his debut.
Chelsea have already been active in the market this summer, signing Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, and Mamadou Sarr to their senior team. They wish to sign another centre-back, having failed in their attempt to sign Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth last month.
Mario Gila joined Lazio for £5 million after making two senior appearances for Real Madrid in the 2021-22 season. The defender made 43 appearances for the Serie A side as they finished seventh and reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa League in the 2024-25 season.
Enzo Maresca's side ended the 2024-25 season in encouraging fashion and are keen to build on their performances by making quality additions. In addition to targeting Gila, they are in the market for attacking reinforcement, as well as a new goalkeeper.
Five Chelsea stars missing from training ahead of Club World Cup opener
Chelsea were without a number of their stars during their open training session ahead of their first game in the FIFA Club World Cup. The Blues are set to lock horns with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC (LAFC) in their Group B opener on Monday June 16th.
Watching the open session was journalist Kieran Gill, who reported that the registered quartet of Christopher Nkunku, Aaron Anselmino, Marc Guiu, and Josh Acheampong were not in training. Also absent was 18-year-old midfielder Kendry Paez, who is billed to train alongside the squad ahead of joining Strasbourg on loan.
Enzo Maresca's side will face Brazilian side Flamengo and Tunisian outfit Esperance in their remaining group games for a place in the last-16. He will hope to have his key players fit and available for the tournament, which serves as part of their pre-season plans ahead of the 2025-26 season.
