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Chelsea see first Erling Haaland swap deal transfer bid rejected by Borussia Dortmund

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Chelsea have reportedly seen their opening offer for Erling Haaland rejected by Borussia Dortmund, according to Sky Germany. After weeks of intense speculation, the Blues have finally made their first move for the Norwegian striker who is Thomas Tuchel’s No 1 target but as they have said all summer, Dortmund are insistent Haaland is not for sale.

Despite that, agent Mino Raiola continues to be open-minded in regards to his client’s future as he continues to speak with Chelsea in the background.

He has been told quite clearly by Dortmund that they do not want to sell Haaland at any price.

The 20-year-old’s £64million release clause becomes active next summer and is set to spark a scramble.

Yet having already lost Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, Dortmund are not willing to entertain offers for their talisman.

TRANSFER Q&A: Get your questions in on Man United, Chelsea, Haaland and more!

Tuchel is solely focused on landing a new No 9 despite winning the Champions League last season.

Match-winner Kai Havertz operated as a false-nine in the final against Manchester City but Chelsea have lacked a clinical, goalscoring striker.

Timo Werner was supposed to provide that but he failed to live up to expectations in front of goal since arriving from RB Leipzig last summer.

He has instead played from the left-side of attack and now Haaland is deemed to be the final piece of the jigsaw.

Tuchel confirmed several months ago that Chelsea were interested in signing Harry Kane, should he be available.

However, they now appeared to be focused on signing Haaland and they have a free run on the Dortmund striker.

Barcelona and Real Madrid held talks in Spain with Raiola and Alf-Inge Haaland but both clubs cannot finance a deal.

Manchester United finally convinced Edinson Cavani to sign a one-year contract extension and therefore no longer need a new centre-forward.

Meanwhile, City are focusing their efforts on signing Kane although Daniel Levy is expected to win the battle and keep his star striker in north London.

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This post originally posted here Daily Express :: Sport

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Chelsea to submit first Erling Haaland swap deal bid to Dortmund including £50m-rated star

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Chelsea are preparing to include Tammy Abraham as a makeweight in a big-money bid for Borussia Dortmund talisman Erling Haaland this summer, according to reports. The Blues are believed to be keen admirers of the 20-year-old, who has established himself as one of the world’s best young players since joining the Bundesliga outfit in January of last year.

Haaland has scored 57 goals in just 59 appearances for Dortmund in all competitions, earning links to a number of Europe’s biggest clubs in the process.

Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City have all been credited with an interest in the Norway international, but Chelsea appear to be the frontrunners in the race for his signature.

The west London club are in desperate need of a top-class striker to lead the line in advance of a renewed Premier League title challenge next season.

Timo Werner has struggled to fire on all cylinders since joining from RB Leipzig last summer, while Olivier Giroud looks set to sign for AC Milan in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Abraham has fallen drastically out of favour under Thomas Tuchel despite finishing as the club’s joint-top scorer in all competitions last season.

JUST IN: Kounde’s view on Chelsea or Tottenham transfer as clubs set to clash

A move for Haaland appears to have been prioritised by Chelsea, but Dortmund are said to value their man at around £150million, with their firm stance threatening to pour cold water on the possibility of a Stamford Bridge switch this summer.

However, the newly-crowned European champions are planning to mitigate this by including Abraham as part of a player-plus-cash deal, according to the Daily Mirror.

The report claims that Aston Villa and West Ham United have been keeping tabs on the 23-year-old, but have both been informed that he could be used as a makeweight in any Chelsea move for Haaland.

The Blues reportedly value Abraham at £50m, which suggests that they could be prepared to shell out £100m for Dortmund’s prized asset in addition to sending the former Bristol City loanee the other way.

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Despite Chelsea’s internal optimism over their newly-hatched plan, Haaland’s current employers are said to be hell-bent on keeping him at the Westfalenstadion for at least another season as they prepare to chase a first Bundesliga title in ten years.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke previously suggested that the forward will not leave the club under any circumstances this summer.

“I have the clear expectation that Erling Haaland will play for us next year,” Watzke told Sport Bild in May. “And I don’t waste any thoughts on anything else.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal icon Paul Merson recently urged Chelsea to act on their reported interest in Haaland ahead of next season in spite of Dortmund’s opposition to a move.

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“Of all the teams who are in for Erling Haaland, Chelsea are the ones who need him most,” he wrote in the Daily Star.

“They have always been successful with someone who has a presence up front and Haaland has that. He’s going to score bundles wherever he goes.

“And if you buy him this summer, you still have the prospect of being able to sell him for a profit later down the line because of his age.”

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This post originally posted here Daily Express :: Sport

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Chelsea must learn from Man Utd transfer lesson after latest Erling Haaland development

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It seems there are two options to win the race for the Norway international.

The first is to call Dortmund’s bluff and offer the huge sum that would secure the signature of one of the world’s most promising strikers.

The second would be to agree a deal this summer that would see Haaland stay with the German giants for next season, before joining Chelsea in a year’s time.

With Norway not involved in the Euro 2020 finals which start this week, there’s no time like the present for Chelsea to act.

And getting a deal done early would no doubt suit all parties – as well as avoiding the mistakes of United’s protracted pursuit of Haaland’s team-mate.

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This post originally appeared on Daily Express :: Sport Feed

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Chelsea, Man City and Man Utd on red alert as Erling Haaland leaves transfer door open

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Haaland has himself admitted that after winning his first major trophy in the form of the DFB-Pokal, he now wants to add to his silverware cabinet.

“I am a simple guy. When I like something, I just want to have more,” Haaland explained.

“Like I have said before, when I score a goal, I always chase the next goal.

“I just won my first major trophy and it was a great feeling, so I want to win trophies.”

There’s admittedly more chance of Haaland enjoying one more season of goalscoring at Dortmund before moving on next summer.

Clubs supposedly willing to splash most likely double the money they’d have to pay next year to sign him earlier tells you all you need to know about the value he holds, though.

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This post originally appeared on Daily Express :: Sport Feed

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Man Utd sent Erling Haaland transfer reminder amid Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo talk

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You’d do well to find a Manchester United transfer round-up not centered on something about Tottenham striker Harry Kane‘s future right now. Unsurprisingly, the want-away Spurs talisman’s next move is a hot topic at present, with United, Manchester City and Chelsea all feasible destinations.
United’s stance on signing Kane, with their interest obvious but the exact chances of any bid less clear, promises to have huge repercussions on their plans for the rest of the window.

Opt to go big for the England captain, who will cost them at least £150million in transfer fees before even considering wages, and United are unlikely to be able to sign an elite-level centre-back as well for example.

Go for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho at £80m and perhaps also bringing Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane to Manchester, at around £40m or more, becomes more realistic.

The United hierarchy therefore have to ask themselves how important it is that they sign a world-class centre-forward, or whether they can afford to pass on Kane and potentially let him join City or Chelsea.

The 27-year-old Spurs frontman certainly seems determined to quit the north London outfit, and he wants to sit down and have an “honest conversation” with chairman Daniel Levy.

MUST-READ MAN UTD NEWS: Man Utd ready to double Harry Kane’s wages in £18m transfer promise

Cristiano Ronaldo is another potential high-profile acquisition as an alternative to Kane with Juventus’ Champions League qualification uncertain and the Portuguese still going strong at 36.

Serie A’s top scorer with 29 goals, United are thought to be keeping an eye on Ronaldo’s situation in Turin amid the possibility of a blockbuster return should Juve miss out on the top four in Italy.

Yet while speculation swirls particularly over Kane and now Ronaldo too, there is one man whose future was previously the talk of the town who has been consigned to the background – Dortmund’s Erling Braut Haaland.

When Mino Raiola and the player’s father Alf-Inge Haaland were holding meetings about the player’s future with Real Madrid and Barcelona, everyone was talking about him, but now discussions over the big Norwegian’s future are no longer as prominent.

Yet the 20-year-old has continued to excel for Dortmund nonetheless and on Saturday scored a brace to end the season on 27 Bundesliga goals, only outscored by Eintracht Frankfurt’s Andre Silva (28) and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski (41) in Germany’s top tier.

Across all competitions, Haaland concluded the campaign with 41 goals and 12 assists in as many appearances, despite the fact he does not even turn 21 years old until July. He now has a summer off with his country having failed to qualify for the Euros.

The Norway international’s overall record across his spells with Molde, Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund – whom he left to join in January 2020 for £17m – reads: 136 games, 106 goals, 28 assists.

In the right attack at the right team, Haaland is a Ballon d’Or winner primed to score 500-plus goals at club level. That’s why Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man United, Man City and Chelsea all like him.

Kane and Ronaldo might be the more attainable signings in the immediate summer but Haaland is the most long-term of the trio, and the one best equipped to make United title challengers not just next season or in the next three or four, but the next 10.

The towering Leeds-born frontman looks ready to rival players such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe and Sancho for the tag of world’s best forward in the post-Lionel Messi and Ronaldo era.

And in Solskjaer, he would be working with a man he already knows well having played under his countryman at Molde. The United boss has repeatedly taken the change to laud his compatriot’s talents in the eye of the public in recent months.

While passing on Kane is risky and United fans might love a Ronaldo reunion, there is plenty of sense behind signing multiple players to improve the team such as Sancho and Varane this summer and then adding the final piece in a Haaland next year.

Such deals wouldn’t be easy to pull off given the competition but while others are focused on the likes of Kane, perhaps United would be wise to keep conversations with Haaland’s representatives going.

Getting the Dortmund striker to Old Trafford would mark a glorious start for United’s new-look recruitment staff, and could lead to even more glory on the pitch.

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This post originally appeared on Daily Express :: Sport Feed

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Chelsea can call upon Fernando Torres experience to sign Erling Haaland this summer

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So transfer saga over then… Or is it?

Clubs have long resorted to issuing a hands-off warning on their prized assets heading into the transfer window and Chelsea have personal experience of dealing with exactly that.

It was back in 2011 when Chelsea were desperate to prise Fernando Torres away from Liverpool.

Liverpool’s then new owners, FSG, made a short statement on the club website in January.

“Chelsea have made a bid for Fernando which has been turned down,” the statement read. “The player is not for sale.”

Music to the ears of Liverpool fans, only for it to be short lived.

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This post originally appeared on Daily Express :: Sport Feed

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Look away now: Sickened Erling Haaland can’t watch as teammate

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Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Erling Haaland had to look away in the stands as his teammate Mateu Morey suffered a horrific injury against Holsten Kiel in the German cup semifinal on Saturday, finding his knee stuck in the turf.

The third division minnows, who had upset the odds to knock out domestic rulers and Champions League holders Bayern Munich on penalties earlier in the competition, were outclassed at the Signal Iduna Park.

A brace from Gio Reyna and goals by Marco Reus, Thorgan Hazard and Jude Bellingham gave the hosts a 5-0 and a date in the final with RB Leipzig.

Yet it was the horrendous incident involving Morey that stole the headlines.

Ruled out of the match through injury and watching from the stands, golden boy Erling Haaland looked away in horror as his teammate twisted his knee at a shuddering angle while stretching to control the ball.

“That didn’t look good,” admitted goalscorer Reus post-match to Ruhr Nachrichten.

“We have to wait and see what the investigations reveal.”

Ex-Liverpool star Emre Can vowed: “Of course we are happy about [getting to] the final, but Mateu’s injury seemed bad.

“We will support him no matter how long he is out. It hurts us all.”

Spain youth prospect Morey had been enjoying a breakthrough campaign at Dortmund, featuring in 23 games for them so far.

Brought on in the 62nd minute with the score already 5-0, his cameo lasted just 12 minutes when the grim accident ended his afternoon and season.

Stretchers were immediately called for Morey, who was replaced by Belgium international Thomas Meunier. Dortmund are unsure how long he will be back for.

Offering their support, Dortmund wrote on Twitter: “If there is anyone who will give their all to come back stronger, it’s Mateu. We’re all with you.”

Haaland echoed the sentiment, sharing a photo of Instagram of himself with his close friend, adding: “Come back stronger.”

Taking to his own Twitter account, Morey posted a photo of himself smiling with thumbs and his feet up on Sunday afternoon.

“Gutted to have to miss the final but I will be your biggest fan in the stands,” he said.

“I unfortunately have to undergo surgery and will be working hard to come back stronger. The road to recovery starts now.”

Also on rt.com ‘This is class’: REAL motive revealed for why ‘childish’ Romanian match official chased Dortmund ace Haaland for signature

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Real Madrid transfer plan as Bale sale eyed to fund Mbappe and Haaland

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Real Madrid will look to offload numerous first-team players including Gareth Bale and Raphael Varane in order to fund bids for Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, according to reports in Spain.

Los Blancos – who sit second in La Liga – remain in pursuit of a double this season after reaching the Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Liverpool.

But Santiago Bernabeu chiefs have already turned their attention to the summer transfer window, when they hope to reinforce Zinedine Zidane’s squad with marquee signings.

Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland and Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe – and they are planning on making bids for both stars.

Zidane hopes to free up transfer funds by offloading Bale
Zidane hopes to free up transfer funds by offloading Bale

That’s according to Marca , which claims the Spanish giants are willing to make offers for both superstars-in-the-making so long as their clubs will entertain transfer talks.

The report adds Haaland and Mbappe have expressed an interest in joining Real Madrid, although it seems highly unlikely the club will be able to finance two huge-money bids this summer due to their debts which total £770million.

Long-serving players Marcelo and Isco are free to leave
Long-serving players Marcelo and Isco are free to leave

Can Real Madrid pull off transfers for Haaland and Mbappe? Have your say in the comments.

Los Blancos have already pursued a cut-price option by reportedly agreeing terms to sign David Alaba at the expiry of his Bayern Munich contract this summer.

And they are resigned to needing to sell players to make room in the squad and free up funds for transfers.

The report in the Madrid-based newspaper claims Gareth Bale – currently on loan at Tottenham – is one of many players who is free to leave.

Elsewhere, Manchester United-linked Raphael Varane could depart for a fee in the region of €70million (£61m).

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Bale has wages of £600,000 per week, while fellow big-earners Marcelo and Isco are also surplus to requirements.

The same goes for fringe players Alvaro Odriozola, Mariano Diaz and Luka Jovic.

But there are some players Real Madrid consider untouchable, including Thibaut Courtois, Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema.

Martin Odegaard – currently on loan at Arsenal – will also stay, alongside his fellow talented youngsters Vinicius Junior, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo.

Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip.

[email protected] (Freddie Keighley)

This article originally appeared on Mirror – Football

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Romanian linesman who asked Dortmund ace Haaland for autograph ‘taken off duty’ following controversy

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Romanian linesman Octavian Sovre has reportedly been removed from the team of officials for an upcoming game in his homeland as the fallout continues over his request for an autograph from Borusia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.

The 47-year-old found himself in the spotlight after being caught on camera approaching Haaland in the tunnel at the Etihad Stadium, after Manchester City had beaten Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League quarter-final first leg earlier this week. 

His actions triggered mixed reactions, with some stars, including former City defender Joleon Lescott, calling his behavior “childish.”

However, it was later revealed that the official had sought out the 20-year-old superstar to sign yellow and red cards from the match so an autism charity in his homeland could auction them off.

Romanian sports-news outlet Gazeta Sporturilor reported that Sovre has been involved with the charity, Asociația S.O.S. Autism Bihor, which helps young adults, for more than five years and had regularly provided them with mementos with which to raise funds.
Also on rt.com ‘Childish’ Romanian official blasted after he’s spotted getting Haaland’s autograph following Champions League tie
Nonetheless, the explanation didn’t seem to suit Romania’s Central Commission of Arbitrators, which has reportedly excluded the linesman from the upcoming match between Universitatea Craiova and CFR Cluj, at which he was scheduled to officiate.

According to Gazeta Sporturilor, the commission’s chairman, Kyros Vassaras, decided to take the step in the wake of the controversy, replacing him with another official, Radu Ghinguleac.

UEFA said it had reminded match officials not to seek autographs from players, calling it “unacceptable.”

“If you want to be respected as much as the players, why would you ask for their autograph or their shirt? Do they ask you for the same?” said UEFA chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti. 

“This is simply unacceptable, this is a matter of dignity and don’t forget about the number of TV cameras at UEFA matches – they catch everything.”
Also on rt.com ‘This is class’: REAL motive revealed for why ‘childish’ Romanian match official chased Dortmund ace Haaland for signature

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Haaland camp praised for 'making right choice' as Liverpool given green light

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Erling Haaland’s camp has been praised for always choosing the club that’s best for him in the past.

And it’s because his advisors have previously been so successful that Haaland’s first coach at Bryne FK, Alf Ingve Berntsen, believes they’ll make the correct call again in this summer’s transfer window.

Borussia Dortmund star Haaland is tipped to complete a £150million transfer in the summer – but where he will go is anyone’s guess.

His dad Alf-Inge and his agent Mino Raiola went to see some potential buyers just last week and were spotted flying into Barcelona[1] from Nice to speak with club president Joan Laporta.

They later headed to the Spanish capital to chat with Real Madrid[2] chiefs before flying to the UK to hold similar meetings with Chelsea,[3] Liverpool, Manchester City[4] and Man United.

Erling Haaland's camp has been praised for always choosing the club that's best for him in the past
Erling Haaland’s camp has been praised for always choosing the club that’s best for him in the past

There is an argument for every one of these clubs potentially signing Haaland, with Chelsea[5] and United among the candidates who can afford the Norwegian’s contract demands, and City holding sentimental value, given Alf-Inge represented them.

But Haaland is still no closer to making a final decision on his next club and will likely see out this campaign with Dortmund, who are still competitive in the Champions League, before making an announcement.

Haaland’s first coach Berntsen would like the striker to join Liverpool as this is his team.

But he too has no inclination as to where the forward will end up. He only knows that it will likely be the ‘right choice’ for Haaland given his track record in the transfer market to this point.

“If I had to decide, I’d go for Liverpool because that’s my club – but I don’t decide,” Berntsen told BBC 5 LIVE.[7][6]

“I don’t have a clue what they will do, Erling and his team have made very good choices and shown great knowledge in choosing the club that’s best for him in the past.”

References

  1. ^ Barcelona (www.mirror.co.uk)
  2. ^ Real Madrid (www.mirror.co.uk)
  3. ^ Chelsea, (www.mirror.co.uk)
  4. ^ Manchester City (www.mirror.co.uk)
  5. ^ Chelsea (www.mirror.co.uk)
  6. ^ Liverpool (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
  7. ^ BBC 5 LIVE. (www.bbc.co.uk)

[email protected] (Jake Polden)