Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approves Erling Haaland transfer as Dortmund set price - 7M sport

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approves Erling Haaland transfer as Dortmund set price



Posted Saturday, February 27, 2021 by Express.co.uk

Chelsea want to beat Manchester United to the signing of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has approved the signing of Erling Haaland, according to reports. Manchester United are also keen on the Borussia Dortmund star. And a fascinating summer transfer battle now appears to lie in wait.

Chelsea have seen Tammy Abraham and Timo Werner struggle for goals this season.

And, as a result, Thomas Tuchel is keen to raid the Bundesliga for Haaland when the transfer window reopens at the end of the campaign.

The Norway international has been in devastating form this season, scoring 17 goals from as many matches in the top flight.

And Bild say Abramovich has now approved a deal for the 20-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in world football despite his young age.

Signing him won’t be cheap, however.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approves Erling Haaland transfer as Dortmund set price
Chelsea are ready to pursue Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window (Image: GETTY)

Haaland’s price will drop to £66million in the summer of 2022, which makes him relatively affordable even in today’s market.

But Dortmund don’t want to part ways with the Norway international ahead of schedule, and have therefore slapped a huge £95million price tag on their prized asset.

Should Chelsea agree to pay that amount, it would make Haaland the costliest signing in the club’s entire history.

Their current record recruit is Kai Havertz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £72m back in the summer.

And they also forked out £71m on Kepa Arrizabalaga when they landed the Spain international from Atletico Madrid in 2018.

Haaland is a Manchester United transfer target too, though, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently talked up his compatriot by saying: “When you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them and I keep in touch with Erling.

"It’s great to see him become the player he has become and [how] he works to improve all the time.

"He’s a Dortmund player – we just wish him well there and let’s see what life will bring later on.

"You know I can’t speak about Erling because he’s at Borussia Dortmund, and it’s disrespectful to talk too much about it, apart from that I know him and I speak to him.

"Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago? Everybody would say you would take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approves Erling Haaland transfer as Dortmund set price
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has approved Erling Haaland transfer (Image: GETTY)

Meanwhile, former Chelsea star Glen Johnson has urged the Blues to do all they can to win the race for Haaland’s signature.

"I think someone like Haaland would be ideal,” Johnson told the Metro.

"He’d be the perfect replacement for Giroud. He’s big, he’s quick, he’s powerful, he’s unbelievable in front of goal.

"Those sort of signings give a lift to the rest of the dressing room and it would be a real statement if they could pull it off.”

Johnson also implored his old side to sign a replacement for Thiago Silva, who is approaching the twilight years of his career.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich approves Erling Haaland transfer as Dortmund set price
Chelsea face Man Utd transfer battle for Erling Haaland (Image: GETTY)

"I think they need a top, younger centre half and they need a top striker,” he said.

"Obviously they’ve spent a lot of money in the wide areas and in midfield.

"I think they’re a far better side with Giroud and he’s the guy that they’ve been trying to get out of the door for the last few years. It shows you that they’ve tried to replace him and haven’t managed to do so.

"I think a top striker is the main thing. Giroud is 34 now so there’s only so much he can do.

"The same stands at centre-half because Thiago Silva is different class but his body can’t cope with the Premier League every week.”



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