Chelsea are starting to test Dortmund's resolve.
Despite rumors that Borussia Dortmund have turned down Chelsea's opening offer for Erling Haaland, informal talks are still ongoing. That offer (re: proposal) included cash + Tammy Abraham or Hudson Odoi.
The champions of Europe still like their chances of signing the Norwegian international. Word on the street is that Haaland also remains interested in the move to Stamford Bridge, either this summer or next.
Unlike a majority of other big European clubs, the Blues are in an enviable financial position. They earned roughly $200 million between their top 4 Premier League finish and the Champions League victory last season.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is rarely hesitant about spending big. He’s spent nearly two decades building one of the best European teams that has no problem attracting the world's most elite players.
The Blues are also pursuing possible one-off deals with Arsenal over Tammy Abraham and Crystal Palace over the transfer of Hudson Odoi to raise funds for Haaland. Marcos Alonso is also on the table.
Chelsea have already raised €55m with the sales of Fikayo Tomori (€25m), Marc Guehi (£20m), Victor Moses (£5m), and Olivier Giroud (€1m).
Dortmund to sell their star striker?
Dortmund may find it hard to refuse a big-money deal from Chelsea. BVB placed a whopping €180 million ($212M) exit price on Haaland last March.
Only Chelsea and Manchester City — who denied interest in the 20-year-old goal-machine — can afford the player. “With these prices, we are not going to buy any striker. It is impossible, we cannot afford it,” said Guardiola late last season.
Former City player Alf-Inge Haaland, Erling's father, prefers his son sign for the Sky Blues. But Alf-Inge is also open to a move to west London.
Should Haaland join Tuchel's side, Chelsea potential attacking options heading into the 2021/22 season include Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, and Hakim Ziyech. That is some insane firepower.
(Photo: Twitter/@iF2is)
