Report: Chelsea planning £77m opening bid for European goal-machine

Chelsea ready to make £77m opening bid for Erling Haaland

According to Winsports (h/t Express), Chelsea are set to test the waters for Erling Haaland with a bid of £77m in the summer. The Borussia Dortmund striker has been prolific since his move to Dortmund and has attracted plenty of attention from clubs.

Haaland has continued from where he left off last season, scoring an astonishing 25 goals in 24 games. The Blues have placed the 20-year-old at the top of their transfer wishlist for the summer and Thomas Tuchel also wants to bring in a new centre-forward in the summer.

Haaland has a £65m release clause in his contract that activates in 2022. However, Chelsea want to move ahead of other potential suitors and nab him up next season itself with a substantial bid in the summer.

An opening bid of £77m could be made by Thomas Tuchel’s side to sign him next season. There has also been interest from Real Madrid as they want a new signing after a quiet 2020. Haaland though has been relatively reticent regarding his future but did give some hints.

He was asked about so many clubs being interested in him to which he replied, “It’s always nice when people want you.” The striker is contracted to Dortmund till 2024 which means that they are in no hurry to sell.

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However, reports suggest that the German club might look to keep Haaland and let go of Jadon Sancho instead. There is also the feeling that Haaland might ask to leave if the club cannot secure Champions League football next season.