ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has reportedly become tired of Chelsea’s third year without a title challenge – and will pay big bucks to end his wait.
Thomas Tuchel could be handed a warchest topping £260million to build a team capable of winning trophies again.
The Blues won nothing last year and could go empty handed again while 16 points off the top of the Premier League.
Russian billionaire Abramovich threw £230m at the team ahead of this season, having actually made money in 2019 due to a transfer ban.
But Frank Lampard was unable to put together a worthy run of form and was replaced by Tuchel last month.
A promising start by the German has raised hopes of at least qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
However, according to Italian outlet Tutto Mercato, Abramovich will make £260m available for transfers even if Chelsea miss out on the top-four.
Top of the list is said to be Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
The striker will be available for just £75m when a release clause becomes active in 2022, with a fee worth double that reportedly required for a move this summer.
Borussia’s own difficulties in qualifying for the Champions League could impact the Norwegian’s future, although the club are said to value him as the one asset they are desperate to keep.
Erling Haaland could become central to a major summer transfer sagaCredit: AFP or licensors
Chelsea are also thought to be keen on Bayern Munich’s Niklas SuleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Many of the other players linked to the Blues at this stage are defensively-minded.
Bayern Munich centre-back Niklas Sule has been the subject of initial contact by Chelsea, according to Todo Fichajes.
The 25-year-old will have just a year left to run on his contract when the window opens and, although talks are planned, he could be going for just £26m.
Franck Kessie could also be brought in with the AC Milan midfielder reportedly considered in the deal to send Fikayo Tomori to the Italian club.
Like Sule, the Ivorian’s contract expires in 2022 and that could open the door to a move after the Stamford Bridge side missed out on David Alaba.
And, between the posts, Tuchel is said to be considering dumping Lampard acquisition Edouard Mendy in favour of a new goalkeeper.
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Manchester United’s Dean Henderson has been linked, as has Atletico Madrid’ star Jan Oblak.
The Slovenian recently admitted that the Premier League remains ‘attractive’ to him with Atletico Madrid one of many teams struggling financially due to the pandemic.
The quartet would fit convincingly into Tuchel’s 3-4-2-1 style, with Haaland slotting in up top and Kessie an alternative to N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
