Chelsea are one of several clubs interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
In truth, it would be in the Blues’ best financial interest to wait until next summer to push through a move as that is when the 20-year-old’s release clause of €75m (£64m) will kick in.
However, with Manchester United, Man City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona all linked with Haaland, there’s a chance that Dortmund will cash in on their prized asset at the end of the season.
But only on one condition.
According to ESPN FC, a monstrous €180million (£150m) bid will be enough to tempt the Bundesliga side into selling Haaland in the next transfer window.
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Backed by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the Blues may have the advantage over the aforementioned clubs as they can afford the £150m fee.
With that said, they could get some help regarding funding a deal.
Last summer Chelsea decided against using their buyback clause for Sassuolo winger Jeremie Boga after it was confirmed by Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevalli that the option was in place.
Although, the agreement was only valid until last June.
“Chelsea can redeem him in June,” he said, as per Tuttomercatoweb – via Sport Witness. “We have excellent relationships with them, we met them with them before Christmas also for other operations, because we like it as we did with Barcelona, to have a collaborative relationship.
“They can take him back, but we can also do an operation together, we can take him back, there is total openness.”
As things turned out, Boga did not seal a return Stamford Bridge last summer as the Blues opted to sign the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz, and Timo Werner instead.
But as reported by Goal, Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia decided to negotiate a sell-on clause which means the Blues will get 10-15% of any future transfer fee should Boga leave the Serie A side.
Boga was heavily linked with a Sassuolo exit last summer with a move to Napoli seemingly very close, but revealed he had decided to stay put for another year.
“I had already spoken to Sassuolo and we decided together it was best for my development if I stayed here for another year,” Boga said, as per Football Italia.
“Sassuolo is a club where you can improve so much, look at Manuel Locatelli and Domenico Berardi playing for Italy now.”
The summer transfer window is just around the corner.
And the rumour mill is already starting to pick up speed.
New Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will surely be looking to strengthen the squad he was given when he took over from Frank Lampard and there have already been a number of top players linked with a move, including Erling Haaland.
The striker is thought to be the Blues’ number on transfer priority.
But who would you sign? Get involved in our transfer window debate here.
Boga’s decision could end up being great news for Chelsea.
Should the 24-year-old get a move this summer, his former club would be entitled to a percentage of any fee Sassuolo receive.
It’s a scenario that would boost head coach Thomas Tuchel’s transfer budget and potentially help fund a £150m deal for Haaland.