TRANSFER guru Christoph Freund has confirmed he’s snubbed Chelsea to stay at RB Salzburg.
The sporting director says he was “proud” to hold talks with the Blues about a similar role but claimed leaving his Austrian club was “out of the question”.
Salzburg CEO Stephan Reiter also stated that 45-year-old Freund, who discovered Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane, would not depart.
Freund said: “Yes, it’s true that Chelsea wanted me and we had talks.
“When such a big club asks it not only honours me and the work of Salzburg.
“It is of course a circumstance that entails personal considerations.
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“But I’ve come to the conclusion I’m in the best hands with Salzburg and that a change is out of the question for me.”
But he admitted: “I was thinking about the Chelsea director job as I have been proud of the interest shown by such a top club.”
Reiter said: “Of course Freund informed me about Chelsea and we exchanged ideas on a personal level and had good conversations but the fact is he will remain our sporting director.”
He earlier told Sky Sports: “I can definitely rule that out.
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“Neither Chelsea nor Christoph Freund spoke to me or the club management about something like that.
“Christoph recently signed a contract with us until 2026, which applies to him as well as to players, managers or coaches.”
Before confirming he was staying, Freund too had hinted he was unlikely to go.
He said: “Chelsea is a huge club in transition.
“I can’t say exactly what will happen in the next few weeks and months. You should never rule anything out in football and Chelsea are such a huge club.
“But I’m sports director in Salzburg and I really enjoy it.”
It is a big blow for Chelsea, but according to Fabrizio Romano they will keep trying for Freund before moving on to other targets.
Owner Boehly wants to have a sporting director in place before the January transfer window.
The American had to conduct the Blues’ summer business by himself but wants an expert to work alongside new manager Graham Potter.
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PSG chief Luis Campos is on his shortlist with the club reportedly prepared to offer him a staggering £135,000 a week.
Former Liverpool transfer chief Michael Edwards was also on the Blues’ radar in the summer but it appears Boehly is starting to look elsewhere.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
