Chelsea to offer academy star as bait to sign striker

Chelsea returned to pre-season this week, and while many players such as Ben Chilwell, Mason Mount, Reece James, Jorginho, and Emerson are yet to return from Euro 2020, the training ground was by no means empty. 

Thomas Tuchel’s first ever pre-season with the Blues will be unlike one he has never experienced, as he was greeted by dozens and dozens of players who were on loan last season.

The likes of Danny Drinkwater, Davide Zappacosta, Baba Rahman and even Tiemoue Bakayoko all returned from their respective loan spells, while academy star Charly Musonda, who had been absent through injury for over 15 months.

Fortunately for the Blues’ returning stars, Tuchel is honourable enough to give them all a chance of breaking into his plans, while other managers may have sent them back out the revolving door.

However, despite this large mass of players, Chelsea are reportedly still desperate to sign Erling Haaland and, according to the Daily Mirror, they would be willing to offer Tammy Abraham plus cash to bring the Norwegian to Stamford Bridge.

Haaland could be the final piece to the Chelsea puzzle.

Haaland established himself as one of the most feared strikers in world football when he smashed in 41 goals in 41 appearances for Borussia Dortmund last season.

At 20-years-old, he also has time on his side and there is the terrifying prospect he could get even better.

It was believed Haaland was not interested in a move to Chelsea earlier in the season, however the Blues have not been dissuaded and their Champions League triumph in May could have turned his head.

Dortmund are claimed to want £150 million for their hitman, but Chelsea could offer Abraham as well as cash to sweeten the deal for both sides.