Chelsea have managed to beat Manchester United in signing Fiorentina star Juan Cuadrado.
The Colombian international has been constantly linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer after impressing for his national side during the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. He was a transfer target for Louis van Gaal’s side even in the January transfer window.
However, Cuadrado has snubbed United and signed for their league rivals for a fee of £23.3m, according to BBC.
Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella has confirmed the South American will join the west London club, while they get Chelsea’s unhappy winger Mohamed Salah on-loan.
“It was a sale that had to be done. The club has done the right thing because we are also getting a very good player,” Montella said, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“Naturally, we need to understand how long Salah will need to adapt to our football as it’s different from the English and Swiss leagues.”
“From a defensive standpoint, Cuadrado guarantees us a lot more than Salah. Cuadrado is a player that has always arrived with a smile and given everything to Fiorentina.
“I am convinced that if he could have played tomorrow he would have. I’m happy for him because he is going to a big club,” Fiorentina manager stressed.
According to Sky Sports, Cuadrado will undero medical at Chelsea on Saturday as the player is still in Italy.