Hungary head coach claims Fenerbahce defender Szalai set to join Chelsea

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - Hungarian National Football Team head coach Marco Rossi on Monday claimed that Attila Szalai, a defender for Turkish team Fenerbahce, is set to move to Chelsea in the upcoming transfer window.

Rossi told media after a local awards ceremony in Turin, Italy that Szalai, 23, is likely to join the English Premier League club in January, claiming that the parties have already agreed to the transfer.

Italian website Calciomercato reported that Rossi was asked if any Hungarian player was capable of playing in the Italian league or not.

"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," Rossi told Calciomercato.

"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.”

Last month Turkish daily Sabah claimed that Szalai was among substitutes at Fenerbahce in recent weeks because a €20-million ($22.5 million) deal with Chelsea may fall through if the Hungarian central defender suffers any injury.

But Fenerbahce rejected the claim, calling the story a "flat-out lie."

Szalai, who is seen as a developing player, was signed this January by Fenerbahce from Apollon Limassol, a Greek Cypriot club.

In a 12-month period, Szalai became one of the main pillars of Fenerbahce, making a large impact on the pitch.

Szalai scored three goals in 43 matches for the Turkish club.

His contract at Fenerbahce will expire in 2025.

Meanwhile, Szalai is also a Hungary regular, piling up 23 international caps for his country.

*Writing by Can Erozden in Ankara