Highly-rated youngster Armando Broja could be fast-tracked into Chelsea’s first team if they do not striker this summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s number one priority is to sign a no.9 during the transfer window as he looks to add an out-and-out goalscorer to his side to build on their Champions League win last season in order to challenge for the Premier League title.
Erling Haaland is at the top of the club’s shortlist but with Borussia Dortmund holding out for £150million for the Norwegian forward, it seems likely he will stay in Germany for at least another season.
Chelsea will reignite their interest next summer when they can trigger his release clause which is said to be almost half of Dortmund’s asking price for Haaland.
But with Olivier Giroud’s exit to AC Milan now confirmed and Tammy Abraham surplus to requirements, Chelsea will have to fill the void in some shape or form.
And Goal.com claim that it is possible the Blues do not sign a new forward at all this summer and instead promote from within.
Academy rising star Broja is at the ‘front of the queue’ to make the step up after the 19-year-old impressed on loan at Vitesse last season.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has also been tipped as an alternative to Haaland but utilising Broja would be a more cost-effective option used as a stop gap until the BVB talisman is available at a more affordable price in 12 months time.
The teenager would also gain valuable first team experience that could potentially progress his development and provide a huge boost for Chelsea’s long term plans.
Dortmund in ‘final stages’ of securing potential Erling Haaland replacement.
The Chelsea dream of signing Erling Haaland this summer remains alive.
Chelsea want to get a new center forward. Haaland is always the dream, a hard target to buy, and he remains the #CFC big summer goal.
The second option is Lukaku, but Inter Milan, till now, do not want to sell Romelu. #Transfers— Angelo Mangiante (@angelomangiante) July 22, 2021
The Blues still hold Haaland as the priority target, despite it proving a very tough deal to pull off.
But could some of that reason be because Dortmund are not keen on letting him go unless they have a good replacement lined up? It’s certainly a more than feasible reason, and there is good news for Chelsea fans on that front at least.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, as reported below, Dortmund are now in the ‘final stages’ to sign PSV striker Donyell Malen on a permanent deal, and he could certainly be an option to replace Haaland.
Borussia Dortmund are at final stages to sign Donyell Malen on a permanent deal from PSV. Last details to be fixed between clubs. 🟡⚫️ #BVB
Personal terms agreed until June 2026 with his agent Mino Raiola. Possible medicals in the next days as @RikElfrink reported. https://t.co/0ZynpoJs0i
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 22, 2021
This is certainly a positive for Chelsea if they are to pull off one of the biggest transfer in football history this summer.
It will still take a massive fee to land him, but this will really test just how much Roman Abramovich wants to sign Haaland.