Chelsea are claimed to be ‘preparing’ a huge £150m bid for Erling Haaland this summer, as they look to fend off competition for the Borussia Dortmund forward.
The 20-year-old is arguably the most sought after player in world football, having set the world alight in Germany since his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg back in January 2020, the player netting 57 goals in just 59 games for the club in all competitions over the last 18 months.
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That stunning record includes a remarkable tally of 41 goals in as many games last term, the Norway international helping fire the club to Champions League qualification, despite a turbulent season that saw manager Lucien Favre depart.
While Borussia Monchengladbach coach Marco Rose is due to replace him, it remains to be seen whether Haaland will be part of his squad next season, the striker at the centre of what looks to be an intense tug-of-war among Europe’s elite for his signature.
According to 90min, Chelsea are looking to steal a march on their rivals, the report claiming that that the Blues are ‘preparing’ a staggering £150m bid for Haaland this summer, with the belief that such an offer will be too good to turn down.
The west London club are known to be in the market for a striker this summer, despite having signed both Kai Havertz and Timo Werner 12 months ago, with both Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud expected to depart, leaving a real shortage of a recognised centre-forward.
The Blues have been linked with bringing Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, though the Belgian has insisted he will remain with Inter Milan despite the departure of Antonio Conte from the San Siro at the end of the season.
Haaland looks to be the man the club is now pursuing, the report going on to add that Chelsea have already held lengthy discussions with the player’s agent Mino Raiola, with personal terms not likely to be an obstacle.
The former Molde striker reportedly has a £64m release clause that comes into effect next summer, yet Thomas Tuchel’s side are hoping to beat the competition by pushing for a move this year, with a queue of clubs likely to be waiting to battle it out in 12 months time.
With the Champions League winners’ offer of £150m more than double what Dortmund could receive next year, it could well tempt them into a sale, despite previously insisting that the player was not on the market this summer.
The Bundesliga side have already agreed a £73m deal for Jadon Sancho to join Manchester United, leaving them perhaps unwilling to lose another prize asset, although an astronomical offer would likely sway their thinking.
Last summer’s big spenders Chelsea are seemingly the only side capable of placing a bid on that scale, amid the current financial difficulties facing a number of clubs across the continent.
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