CHELSEA and Borussia Dortmund have been in ‘fairly regular contact’ in recent months ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports. Both clubs plan to be active when the window opens on June 9 and have discussed the possibility of transfers in either direction.
Chelsea have
enjoyed an upturn in form since former Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel arrived in
January and face the biggest game of their season against Manchester City in
Saturday’s Champions League final.
However, their
defeat in the FA Cup final and fourth-place finish in the Premier League showed
some weaknesses which may need addressing in the transfer market.
Midfielder Jorginho finished
the season as the club’s highest goalscorer in the league, with seven
penalties, and the signing of a world-class striker is therefore on the Blues’
wishlist.
That need has seen them mentioned in dispatches for
two of Europe’s most sought-after players this summer: Erling Haaland and Jadon
Sancho.
Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona
are all reportedly interested in Haaland, who scored 41 goals in as many games
for Dortmund this season.
Meanwhile, Sancho is on the radar of the west London
club, Manchester United and Liverpool and looks likely to move after playing
for England in the European Championships.
That is not the only reason Chelsea and Dortmund
have been in contact, however, with 90min reporting that Tammy
Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi are of interest to the German club.
Abraham has found opportunities hard to come by
under Tuchel and is reportedly available for transfer this summer, with West
Ham, Aston Villa and Southampton among those interested in the 23-year-old, who
is valued at £40million by Chelsea.
Hudson-Odoi has recovered from an Achilles injury
and has made 37 appearances for Chelsea in 2020/21, including many under
Tuchel’s management.
However, 90min reports that Chelsea have not been
pleased with the 20-year-old’s attitude and are ‘mystified’ why he hasn’t
kicked on since signing a contract worth £150,000 per week after the club
rejected
Abraham, who has scored 12 goals in 32 appearances
this season, reportedly asked for a deal on similar terms to Hudson-Odoi’s, but
has been frozen out, playing just seven times under Tuchel.
Dortmund have proven to be a popular destination for
young English players in recent years, with midfielder Jude Bellingham
following in Sancho’s footsteps to establish himself as one of the continent’s
biggest talents.
The report states that although Dortmund could not
match the duo’s wage demands, they could be interested in helping them
re-launch their careers on loan.
Both players are reportedly open to moving abroad
and Dortmund is an option they would be happy to explore.
Should Hudson-Odoi make the switch to Germany, he
could provide Dortmund with a replacement for Sancho, who may join Manchester
United this summer.
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