ROMELU LUKAKU and Timo Werner have emerged as shock Barcelona targets – with crisis-club Chelsea potentially forced to sell key players.
The Blues are in turmoil amid the sanctions from the UK Government following owner Roman Abramovich having his assets frozen amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner could both be on their way to Barcelona Credit: Getty And with the club at risk of plunging into a financial black hole, they may have to let some of their top earners go.
Lukaku is the highest-paid Chelsea player with his £325,000-a-week deal while the German ex-RB Leipzig star is fourth on £270,000 – behind Kai Havertz and N’Golo Kante.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona could look to try and pounce.
The Catalan giants have identified Erling Haaland as their No1 transfer target in the summer.
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Abramovich ‘CAN SELL Chelsea despite sanctions’, but bank accounts are frozen But with Manchester City in pole position for the Borussia Dortmund striker, Barca may have to look elsewhere.
And cut-price deals for Lukaku and Werner could be on the cards.
The pair arrived for a combined £145.5million – including a club-record £97.5m to bring the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge.
Neither forward has managed to hit top form this season, though.
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Lukaku has five Premier League goals this season while Werner is stuck on just one.
If Barcelona fail in their double swoop on the Blues, they could instead go after Bayer Leverkusen and Czech Republic ace Patrik Schick.
Rafael Leao, more of a winger than a centre-forward, may also be considered.
Barcelona also have financial troubles and Xavi may bolster his squad with a series of free transfers and budget signings.
Andreas Christensen looks on course to complete a Nou Camp switch when his Chelsea contract expires in the summer.
And Cesar Azpilicueta may well make what could be a familiar journey from West London to eastern Spain, especially if Thomas Tuchel is blocked from tying down existing players to new contracts.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
