Erling Haaland to Chelsea transfer: £130m bid ‘prepared’, deal ‘expected,’ Lukaku talks continue


Chelsea are determined to bring in a world-class striker this summer as the upcoming season draws closer.

The Blues take on Crystal Palace in the opening round of Premier League fixtures in mid-August, but Thomas Tuchel and co. are yet to bring in a new signing.

Landing a new striker is a top priority for head coach Tuchel, with the German determined to improve his side’s goalscoring output.

Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland is the club’s number one target, football.london understands, and they are desperate to add him to their ranks over the summer.

But any deal for Haaland will prove difficult, with Dortmund determined to keep hold of their star striker this summer.

With that said, here is a round-up of everything football.london knows so far about Haaland’s future and Chelsea’s interest in his services.

Chelsea ‘agree’ personal terms with Haaland

Last month, it was reported the west London outfit had agreed personal terms with the striker. That is according to journalist Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window Podcast.

Whilst that is a major step forward in their attempts to sign the frontman this summer, a fee needs to be agreed between both clubs which is easier said than done.

Bayern’s stance

Bayern Munich will not be pursuing a move for Haaland this summer, CEO Oliver Kahn revealed a few months ago.

The German giants are not in a strong enough financial position to contemplate launching a move, meaning that is one less rival for Chelsea to think about.

“A package that costs – as we heard – over €100million (£85.6million)is unimaginable for FC Bayern at the moment,” he said when speaking to Sport Bild earlier in the year.

“Robert [Lewandowski] still has a two-year contract here. His performances cannot be questioned. He’s scored 39 goals [in the Bundesliga] so far!

“Just for that, we don’t have to think about Haaland today. Robert can keep this level for a few more years.”



Oliver Kahn has said Bayern Munich won't sign Chelsea target Erling Haaland this summer. (Image: Bayern Munich/ YouTube)
Oliver Kahn has said Bayern Munich won’t sign Chelsea target Erling Haaland this summer. (Image: Bayern Munich/ YouTube)

£112m hope

According to reports cited by the Metro, Haaland has agreed to join Spanish giants Real Madrid this summer, with the La Liga outfit hopeful of agreeing a deal worth £112million with Dortmund.

This, however, seems unlikely, considering that Dortmund value the striker closer to £150million. But if Madrid see a reason as to why they can sign Haaland for £38million less than that, Chelsea may believe they can compete at the same price, with personal terms reportedly having been agreed already.

With Chelsea certainly no strangers to spending massive amounts of money on big-name signings, finding £112million to entice Haaland to west London could be more than possible for the Blues.

Chelsea plan

Despite the €75million (£64million) release clause within Haaland’s contract coming into effect in 12 months’ time, Chelsea are determined to land the Norway international this summer.

According to a report by Eurosport, the Blues are prepared to jump the queue ahead of their rivals and seal a deal for his signature during this summer’s window. The likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona would prefer to hold out until next summer.

However, Blues chief Tuchel is keen to get a deal done this summer, meaning the west London club are already putting a plan in place and are ready to test the waters with an offer.

With Financial Fair Play [FFP] blurred, if Roman Abramovich can fund a deal it should not be ruled out.

Opening bid ‘made’

According to Turkish journalist Ekrem Konur, as cited by TEAMtalk, the Blues have lodged their first official bid for Haaland.

For several weeks it has been claimed that the Blues have agreed personal terms with the Norway international in the hope of getting a deal over the line, but they have yet to make official contact with Dortmund.

However, reports now claim that the west London club have made their first move to try and attract the Norway international to Stamford Bridge, tabling an offer of £60million plus Tammy Abraham.



Chelsea are desperate to lay their hands on Erling Haaland this summer. (Image: Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images).
Chelsea are desperate to lay their hands on Erling Haaland this summer. (Image: Alex Gottschalk/DeFodi Images via Getty Images).

While that deal would amount to around £100million when taking into account Abraham’s value, it is unlikely that Dortmund would entertain such an offer, as they value the Leeds-born striker closer to £150million.

Granovskaia’s plan

Chelsea transfer chief Marina Granovskaia is ‘really looking into a deal’ to bring Haaland to Stamford Bridge this summer.

That is according to Eurosport, as cited by the Daily Express, who say Chelsea feel they have a strong chance of winning the race for his signature.

The Norway star is Tuchel’s top target this summer to bolster his attacking options and Chelsea believe he could be the difference between them landing the Premier League title or not.

Although it will cost huge money, Chelsea are keen to make a deal happen

Deal expected

As cited by Chelsea News, Christian Falk – the Head of Football at Sport Bild – insists he expects Haaland to seal a move to Stamford Bridge this summer and join Chelsea.

Speaking on a new Twitch stream with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Falk admitted that he sees similarities between the Blues’ pursuit of Haaland to that of Kai Havertz last summer.

He admitted that Chelsea have a ‘big chance’ of signing Haaland and all they need to do to get a deal over the line is ‘break the bank’.

Therefore, the ball appears to be in the Blues’ court and they just need to strike the right note to get a deal done.

Dortmund stance deals Chelsea blow

Chelsea look to have been dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Haaland after Borussia Dortmund’s director Michael Zorc spoke out on the club’s plans.

Zorc said that the German club were including the Norwegian in their preparations ahead of next season, claiming ‘nothing has changed’ amid the Blues interest.

Speaking Bild, Zorc said: “Nothing has changed. We plan with Erling for the new season.”

‘Mission impossible’

According to Sky Sports Germany reporter Max Bielefeld, Chelsea face an almost impossible task of convincing Dortmund to sell Haaland this summer, despite their continued interest.



Chelsea target Erling Haaland. (Image: Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images).
Chelsea target Erling Haaland. (Image: Alexandre Simoes/Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images).

He reports that it is ‘mission impossible’ for the Blues to sign him this summer, meaning Chelsea may be forced to look elsewhere to bring in a new striker.

Dortmund double down on future

Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastian Kehl has seemingly dampened Chelsea’s hopes of securing Haaland this summer by insisting he is staying in Germany.

Talking to Sky Germany, he said: There is nothing new on this matter. He is in our plans. Erling will return this week and he will be very hungry. He wants to play football, he feels comfortable with us and he will be eager to score many goals.”

That is an opinion shared by the club’s current sporting director Michael Zorc.

Haaland drops hint

Haaland’s latest actions have provided some much needed hope for Chelsea in their attempts to sign the world class forward this summer.

Christian Falk of Sport Bild asked the striker a direct question about his future and more importantly about the links to Chelsea.

Falk’s tweet read: “We asked Erling Haaland: Are you staying at Borussia Dortmund, Mr. Haaland?.

“He smiled and said nothing.”

Keeping tight lipped can only be a good sign for Thomas Tuchel’s side as they look to strengthen the one area of the pitch that could potentially turn them into title challengers in the upcoming 2021/22 Premier League season.

Abraham swap deal lined up

According to the Mirror, Chelsea are set to make a ‘monster bid’ for Haaland, with striker Tammy Abraham involved in the deal.

Abraham, who has played just seven times since Tuchel took over in January, is valued at £50million by the Blues and could be used to try and reduce the fee they pay for their number one target Haaland.

However, Dortmund believe Chelsea’s value of Abraham is a bit too much especially considering the lack of football he has played under the new boss.

Aston Villa and West Ham United are also keen on the Blues striker, who netted 12 times in all competitions last season.

First bid rejected

Following reports of that aforementioned bid, it appears that Dortmund are not overly keen.

Suggestions from Sky in Germany have said that Chelsea offered cash plus either Tammy Abraham or Callum Hudson-Odoi in part-exchange.

However, that offer has been swiftly turned down by the German giants as they attempt to keep Haaland at the Westfalenstadion.

Dortmund edging closer to potential Haaland replacement

Chelsea have received a transfer boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, with the German club agreeing personal terms with his potential replacement.

According to German outlet Sport Bild, the Black and Yellows have reached an agreement with Dutch forward Donyell Malen on personal terms which include contract length and salaries.



Former Arsenal striker Donyell Malen could be on the move this summer. (Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Former Arsenal striker Donyell Malen could be on the move this summer. (Image: Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Dutch forward Malen is coming off the back of a very strong season with Eredivisie side PSV, having scored 27 goals in 45 appearances across all competitions.

With the 22-year-old close to joining the Westfalenstadion club, they could have indirectly secured their replacement already for the Norwegian International, if a crazy official bid was to be sent in by Thomas Tuchel’s side later on in this summer’s transfer window.

Raiola knows of Chelsea’s ‘concrete interest’ in his client

Le Parisien journalist Julien Laurens confirmed that both Mino Raiola and Erling Haaland’s father Alf-Inge are aware of Chelsea’s “concrete” interest in the striker.

“I’ve spoken to Mino Raiola and Alfie Haaland, they know that this interest is concrete,” the London-based French journalist told ESPN FC.

“Chelsea are really keen on Erling Haaland.

“The thing is, there is this €75million (£64.2million) release clause [that will become active] next year, and Borussia Dortmund is saying ‘Until then, he’s staying with us — we don’t care how much money you can offer.’”

Despite Laurens’ reservations that the German club would even agree to sell the 20-year-old at the required asking price (£150million), he still believes Chelsea should table the bid to test the resolve of Dortmund.

He argued: “Why would you wait if you could get him now?

“OK, you might get him for half the price. But you know that many other clubs will be after him, and it will be far harder for you to get him.”

Tuchel eyes Lewandowski

Chelsea chief Tuchel is seemingly running out of patience in the club’s quest to sign Haaland this summer, so much so that he has now set his eyes on Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski instead.

According to reports, Tuchel has returned to the drawing board and Chelsea are now set to go after a deal for the Poland international, who is reportedly worth £50million.



Erling Haaland continues to be linked with Chelsea
Erling Haaland continues to be linked with Chelsea

Although Lewandowski is older than Haaland, he remains one of the very best strikers in the world and Chelsea would be very lucky to have him at their disposal.

Tuchel is desperate to land a new goal-getter in-chief and believes Lewandowski could be just the ticket.

Lukaku talks ongoing

With the prospect of Chelsea signing Haaland this summer still uncertain, the Blues are keeping their options open, so much so that they remain in talks with Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku.

That is according to well-respected sports journalist Matt Law, as cited by the Express.

It is reported that talks are currently ongoing ‘behind the scenes’ between Chelsea and Lukaku, with the Blues open to trying to bring the Belgium international back to Stamford Bridge.

However, Lukaku has recently admitted that he will be staying at the San Siro this summer.

“Yes, I am staying,” he told Dutch broadcaster VTM. “I’ve already had contact with the man who normally becomes our new manager.

“Maybe I shouldn’t say that yet… but it was a very positive conversation.”

Chelsea set to make bid

Chelsea are set to make an offer to Borussia Dortmund for Haaland, football.london understands.

£130m offer ‘prepared’

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has given the green light for the club to lodge a whopping £130million offer for the Norway frontman, according to Football Insider.

The report claims that it would likely be the highest the Russian is willing to pay this summer in what would make him the most expensive Premier League signing of all time, gazumping the £89million Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba back in the summer of 2017.

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