Wonderkid: 18-year-old prodigy would sign for Real Madrid without hesitation, rejecting Chelsea among others

The season is over, and as expected, teams have started to think about next season's signings. The big teams in Europe are getting better and better scouting teams, and signing aging players is no longer so common.

In addition, clubs choose not to spend so much money on transfers, although there are always exceptions, such as Erling Haaland's move to Manchester City. Many of the club's signings tend to be low-profile players who join the club for a small amount of money and as a gamble for the future.

Thanks to this new transfer method being implemented by the clubs, the minor leagues earn money and renown every time they sell their players to the big teams of Europe. Chelsea were on the verge of signing a player of MLS's Chicago Fires, but another top club entered the fray and would have made him change his mind.

Chelsea have been keen on signing Gabriel Slonina for some time and came close to sealing a deal before being hit with sanctions in March, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 18-year-old goalkeeper is worth 3,000,000 euros, according to transfermarkt.

Chelsea's idea is to sign him as a backup for Edouard Mendy and that would allow the Blues to get rid of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who earns €9,100,000 per year. However, Real Madrid are also interested in Slonina, and it seems that the goalkeeper has opted to join El Merengue.

Andriy Lunin, Real Madrid's second-choice goalkeeper, is looking for a new path. The Ukrainian no longer wants to be a backup and is looking for offers to be a starting goalkeeper. Real Madrid, meanwhile, see Slonina regarded as a player for the future and is unlikely to rival Thibaut Courtois for his first-team place.

It looked like it would take time for Slonina to decide on his new