ROMAN AFTER ERLING
Chelsea owner still keen to capture Haaland
CHELSEA’S offer of cash plus Tammy Abraham or Callum Hudson-odoi for Erling Haaland has been knocked back by Borussia Dortmund.
But after watching the Euros, Roman Abramovich is more determined than ever to get his No.1 target.
Haaland returned to the first day of preseason training at Dortmund on Tuesday having had a chance to recharge his batteries over the summer after Norway missed out on Euro 2020.
But the tournament was a huge success for several of Chelsea’s current players – convincing Abramovich he has given his manager Thomas Tuchel the resources to mount a sustained title challenge.
Blues midfielder Jorginho was one of the players of the tournament with champions Italy, while Andreas Christensen was showcasing his talents with semifinalists Denmark.
Kai Havertz also impressed for Germany, convincing Abramovich his squad is in good shape going into the new campaign.
But after Timo Werner managed just two attempts – one on target – in three games for Germany, there is a strengthening feeling a new stirker is needed if Chelsea are to challenge Manchester City over an entire season.
Haaland has always been at the top of the list and the initial hopeful informal punt was intended mainly to spark a conversation.
That said, one or other of the two young England internationals could still play a part in the deal, so Chelsea have closed the door on letting them move elsewhere until the Haaland negotiation is completed.
Officially, Dortmund have not moved from their stance that the 20-year-old is not for sale – especially with Jadon Sancho leaving for Manchester United.
But Abramovich showed last summer he is still willing to invest heavily in Chelsea and has deep enough pockets to test Dortmund’s resolve. And with a £65m release clause set to kick in next summer in Haaland’s contract, Dortmund know this is effectively the last time they would be able to cash in on a talent valued at double that.
The Blues, meanwhile, have joined Manchester City on snubbing the chance to sign Antoine Griezmann.
Barcelona are desperate to get Griezmann’s salary off their wage bill so they can afford to complete a deal to re-sign Lionel Messi.
Barca signed Griezmann from Atletico in a £107m transfer two years ago and a swap deal with Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez is now being discussed. Olivier Giroud is one player on his way out of Stamford Bridge. The striker, 34, will undergo a medical with AC Milan today after agreeing a two-year deal in a transfer worth just under £2m to Chelsea.