Chelsea line up Golovin and look at Alisson deal

Russia playmaker in talks over £27m move Brazil goalkeeper could join if Courtois departs

Chelsea are in talks to sign Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin from CSKA Moscow and are interested in replacing Thibaut Courtois with Alisson Becker. Golovin has impressed in Russia’s unexpected run to the last 16 and is preparing to face Spain tomorrow, while Alisson is Brazil’s first-choice goalkeeper.

The Daily Telegraph understands Chelsea could listen to offers for Courtois, who is entering the final 12 months of his contract and is yet to commit to an extension. They do not want to risk losing him for free next summer, so could be open to bids in excess of £50million.

Real Madrid are interested in both Courtois and Roma’s Alisson, with the Belgian keen to return to Spain. Paris Saint-germain have also considered making a move, but are set to sign Gianluigi Buffon.

Should Chelsea receive an acceptable bid, then Alisson, who is valued at around £60 million, ap- pears to be the first-choice replacement. Roma are braced for bids for Alisson, who has also been linked with Liverpool, and are keeping a close eye on Courtois’s situation.

Juventus and Monaco had been chasing a deal for Golovin, but Chelsea head the queue and hope to conclude a deal once the midfielder’s participation in the World Cup is over. CSKA want around £27million for Golovin, which has not put off Chelsea. The club believe the 22-year-old can add creative impetus to their squad and are confident he could make an impact. Scouts working for Chelsea believe Golovin has similar qualities to Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric, but their move for the Russian leaves any deal for Nice’s Jean Michael Seri in doubt.

Cesc Fabregas and Pedro are both over 30 and have only one year left on their contracts, while there is doubt over Willian’s future. Chelsea want to sell midfielder Danny Drinkwater, who they value at more than £30million, but will not consider bids for Ruben Loftuscheek or Ross Barkley.

Leonid Slutsky, the former Russia manager who is friends with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, has been key to Golovin’s progress, having taken him to CSKA. Slutsky now manages Vitesse Arnhem, but there is no prospect of Golovin joining Chelsea and then moving to Holland on loan as he would be signed as a first-team squad member. Golovin impressed former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during Russia’s 5-0 thrashing of Saudi Arabia. Mourinho said: “He’s a player that gives the dynamic of the team.”

Golovin was linked last season with Napoli, whose former manager Maurizio Sarri is expected to succeed Antonio Conte as Chelsea’s head coach. Conte has drawn up a pre-season programme in case he is still in charge, but the expectation is Sarri will be in place by the time the non-world Cup players return.

The agent of Juventus defender Daniele Rugani said his client’s proposed £35million switch to Chelsea hinges on the confirmation of Sarri’s appointment.

Meanwhile, Korean midfielder Ki Sung-yeung has agreed a two-year contract with Newcastle. The 29-year-old is out of contract at relegated Swansea.