Former CSKA teammate of Aleksandr Golovin appears to confirm Chelsea move

An Instagram post on the part of Sergei Chepchugov, a former teammate of in-demand CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, has seemingly confirmed that the latter is set to join Premier League giants Chelsea imminently.

Creative presence

Golovin, a versatile 22-year-old who can play as any of an orthodox central midfielder, attacking midfielder or even on the wing, came up through the youth ranks of CSKA Moscow, before breaking into the club’s first-team setup in 2014.

After struggling for game-time as a teen, Golovin went on to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI of Viktor Goncharenko during the 2016/17 campaign, with the gifted midfielder’s performances this past season (particularly versus Arsenal in the Europa League) having caught the attention of a number of European heavyweights.

Arsenal and Juventus were the two clubs most persistently-touted as a potential destination for Golovin leading into the summer transfer market, with the latter having even engaged in lengthy negotiations with CSKA.

However, the Bianconeri refused to meet the rumoured 25 million Euro valuation of the capital outfit, with Golovin’s price-tag having since been pushed even higher by his impressive performances at the World Cup with Russia:

Stamford Bridge links

CSKA are now said to be demanding a fee of around 30 million Euro for their star man, though one club have seemingly not been deterred by the hike in valuation of the relatively-unproven 23-time capped international.

The outfit in question are English giants Chelsea, who’s interest in Golovin is rumoured to have been steadily growing over recent weeks.

The midfielder’s mother even confirmed ongoing negotiations between the Blues and CSKA at the start of the month, with a move to London having since been viewed as a near-formality.

‘Will be a new Chelsea midfielder’

Though claims to the contrary emerged over the last 48 hours, with Tuttosport having first suggested that Golovin was holding out for a move to Juventus and Monaco president Vadim Vasilyev having then confirmed that the Ligue 1 outfit were very much in the running for the Russian, CHelse have nevertheless remained the clear favourites to secure a deal.

And, as per the aforementioned update from Sergei Chepchugov, a Russian goalkeeper and CSKA teammate of Golovin up until last year, the midfielder’s move to Stamford Bridge appears to be imminent, based on the following message posted on the former’s Instagram page:

‘When you, Alex Golovin, came to the main team, CSKA, I immediately told you, you will also train.’ (rough translation)


‘Two years later you will get to the big European team. Today, a lot of advice, and attention! I wish you to feel happy at Chelsea. Have fun, and a great career !!!’