Chelsea face ‘mission impossible’ in bid to sign star striker

This summer’s transfer windows promises to be a busy one, with a number of high profile deals being tipped to happen as the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea look to prevent Manchester City from defending their Premier League title. 

Chelsea are arguably the club which has been linked with the highest number of different players, with Blues boss Thomas Tuchel allegedly keen on signing a full-back, midfielder and striker, among other positions.

The biggest name linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer is Erling Braut Haaland, with the Borussia Dortmund star being tipped to join after just 18 months in Germany.

Tuchel’s Blues were favourites to sign the Norway international, however it now appears that they may have reached an obstacle in their efforts to sign the 20-year-old.

According to Sky Sports, Chelsea face ‘mission impossible’ and are almost certain to miss out on signing the striker, who scored an incredible 48 goals in 51 games last season.

It is reported that Dortmund are reluctant to sell Haaland, having already agreed to sell Jadon Sancho to Manchester United.

A source close to the deal stated that “Chelsea are trying but it is going to be very difficult. At the moment it is looking like mission impossible. It is unlikely but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.”

If the Haaland deal does fall through, Chelsea could look elsewhere, possibly to Harry Kane, Romelu Lukaku or Antoine Griezmann.

Haaland’s Norway failed to qualify for Euro 2020.

Chelsea could also see a number of outgoings from Stamford Bridge this summer, with the likes of Danny Drinkwater, Bob Rahman and Ross Barkley all likely to depart.

Veteran striker Olivier Giroud is reportedly on the verge of joining AC Milan, and Tammy Abraham has been left out in the cold since the arrival of Tuchel so could also depart.

This would leave Chelsea with only Timo Werner as a recognised centre forward.

Haaland has a release clause of £70 million which can be activated next summer, however a host of Europe’s biggest clubs have been circling to see whether the striker can be nabbed sooner.

According to the report, Mino Raiola is demanding a fee of £34 million for himself as part of a deal for the player.