Haaland to Chelsea: Blues set to offload stars to raise transfer funds

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 17 May 2021 15:06 BST
• 3 min read

Erling Haaland could be on his way to Chelsea yet this summer, with the Stamford Bridge side seeking to make sales that could allow a deal for the Borussia Dortmund forward to take place.

Although Chelsea have reached the Champions League final, their lack of predatory instinct around the box continues to cause some concern.

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Indeed, their 2-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday could have been a far more substantial victory had they been more efficient.

Timo Werner, in particular, has come under fire in recent weeks, and while he opened the scoring against Los Blancos, there appears to be little belief that he is a long-term solution for the Blues.

Dortmund striker Haaland is a natural target given his red-hot form for the last 18 months.

Can Chelsea afford Haaland?

After spending more than £200 million last season, it is evident that Chelsea cannot keep pouring money into transfer fees.

Instead, Goal reports that they are ready to cut their bloated squad numbers in order to fund summer spending. Haaland is mentioned as a possible addition along with Inter’s Romelu Lukaku. Lukaku would be the more attainable target given that Inter’s need to sell is greater than that of BVB.

Marcos Alonso and Emerson, two left-backs, are players poised to leave. Emerson, particularly, has struggled to find game time under Thomas Tuchel and would be a clear favourite to leave. Just how much could be raised is under question, though, as the clubs chasing him, Juventus and Inter, both have financial issues.

Furthermore, Milan are likely to sign Fikayo Tomori for around £26m at the end of his loan deal, while other players out on temporary deals are liable to be moved on for smaller fees.

Elsewhere, the departure of Olivier Giroud should free up wages, while Tammy Abraham is likely to leave. Chelsea are hopeful of raising £40m for the striker, who is of interest to West Ham and Leicester.

Chelsea may not have the type of money required to sign Haaland to hand, perhaps €120m (£105m), but by moving on Abraham and others, raising it does not appear impossible.