10pm: Roman Abramovich gives green light for British-record bid for top Chelsea target
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are prepared to submit a British-record bid to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland this summer.
The Blues ended the previous campaign on a high note with Champions League glory, but they were still disappointing with their finishing in the final third.
Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham were the joint top-scorers with just 12 goals, and the former was guilty of missing several clear-cut chances.
The Blues are now searching for another elite striker, and Haaland has been earmarked as their prime target for this summer’s transfer window.
They recently proposed a player-plus-cash deal for Haaland involving either Abraham or Callum Hudson-Odoi. It was rejected by the German club.
Dortmund are reluctant to sell Haaland unless a club meets their £150 million valuation. It is now reported that the Blues are prepared to bid around £130m.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich has vowed to provide fund for a big-money signing, but he is not willing to pay more than the reported fee for Haaland.