Chelsea make first Haaland move with surprise makeweight in reported bid

Sancho.Haaland.Dortmund.TEAMtalk

Reports claim Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland and lodged their first bid to sign the striker this summer.

The 20-year-old is undoubtably the most sought-after player in world football at present. His record at BVB and previous club Red Bull Salzburg bears comparison with anyone in the game. The Bundesliga outfit got him on the cheap for around €20m after witnessing his prowess in front of goal for the Austrians.

He notched 28 goals from 22 appearances in all competitions in just the first half of the 2019-2020 campaign. The talented youngster has continued to score goals for fun in Germany.

He found the net 16 times from 18 outings in his first half season for Dortmund. And the Norway international scored 41 times from as many outings in his first full campaign for the Westfalenstadion club.

That return has alerted the big hitters, with the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid thought to be keen. It was reported last week that Los Blancos had reached a ‘total agreement’ with the Scandinavian over personal terms.

But now it seems as though the Blues have as well. Journalist Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window Podcast (via football.london) is reporting that the European champions have also agreed personal terms.

That by no means guarantees his signature but Italian-based journalist Ekrem Konur has tweeted that Chelsea have lodged an official offer. It is said they have bid £60m and will also offer striker Tammy Abraham as part of the deal.

There is no mention of any response from Dortmund but, if true, it proves how serious they are about landing the superstar.

June 28 Transfer Chatter - Manchester United begin French midfielder talks, England starlet's new contract and Manchester City to move for Barcelona forward.

June 28 Transfer Chatter - Manchester United begin French midfielder talks, England starlet's new contract and Manchester City to move for Barcelona forward.

Manchester United will open talks with one of the world's most exciting youngsters, England star to fend off interest with new contract and Manchester City could sign a forward from Barcelona to replace Sergio Aguero, all in today's transfer chatter.

Haaland an upgrade on disappointing Werner

Chelsea’s season turned around when Thomas Tuchel arrived in January. He guided the west Londoners to a top-four finish while winning the Champions League.

Timo Werner was signed last summer to try and bring silverware. That ambition was realised but the German did not make the expected impact.

He bagged only 12 goals from 52 outings in all competitions. And his place at the club has come under scrutiny, with rumours he may be sold in the off-season.

Mason Mount Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori in Chelsea training

It remains to be seen if that happens but it would certainly help to offset the cost of acquiring Haaland. There is also no mention of whether Abraham is happy to be a makeweight in the transfer.

He has been heavily linked with Aston Villa, with reports the West Midlanders were set to offer £40m. The 23-year-old made just 12 top-flight starts last term, scoring six goals.

He may make way for Haaland, whose record suggests he would dwarf those numbers in no time at all.

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