Attila the Hungarian

Chelsea have apparently completed a deal to sign Hungarian defender Attila Szalai from Turkish club Fenerbahce. The deal hasn't been announced officially, however, but rather clumsily by a man who is likely to be well-informed.

Hungary national team coach Marco Rossi was speaking to Italian media and accidentally revealed the next career move of the 23-year-old defender when quizzed about which Hungarian player would be a good fit for Serie A football.

"It’s hard to name just one player, but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce, but I think he is joining Chelsea. Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently, his move to Chelsea is a done deal. He would be a great player also for Italian football."

Wednesday, 20.45: (6.50) Zenit (4.20) Chelsea (1.57)

Speculation regarding Szalai's move to Chelsea has been building over recent weeks, with Spanish clubs Atletico Madrid and Sevilla also interested in the strong centre-back.

The Blues are almost certain to lose their top-performing defender Antonio Rudiger at the end of the season and are working hard to identify possible replacements. While they are still being linked with a move for Sevilla's Frenchman Jules Kounde, Fenerbahce's Hungarian international would be easier to obtain during the January transfer window. A mid-season addition of Szalai would also give the Budapest-born player some extra time to adapt to life at Thomas Tuchel's side.

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Szalai moved to Turkey from Cypriot club Apollon Limassol less than a year ago, but his excellent displays in Turkish Super Lig drew plenty of interest from bigger leagues. Fenerbahce stand to make a huge profit because they only paid $2.20 million to sign Szalai - and could end up selling him for ten times as much a mere year later.

Tuchel has helped Andreas Christensen as well as Rudiger to improve since his arrival at Stamford Bridge and he could have a defining impact on the development of the Hungarian defender as well.

Attila the Hun was a notorious ruler and conqueror from the fifth century. He was attacking, invading and destroying all around Europe and Asia. Now, in the 21st century, this new Attila is mostly focused on defending - and that's exactly what Chelsea need.