Chelsea have a ‘Plan B’ in place if they are unable to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer – with another world-class striker on their radar.
Haaland, believed to be a longstanding primary target for the Blues and undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world right now, could leave Germany if Dortmund receive the right price for the star forward.
However, the Bundesliga club are believed to want as much as £150m for the Norwegian – and the Blues are said to have a back-up plan if a deal were to fall through for the 20-year-old.
 |
| Borussia Dortmund are believed to want as much as £150m for Erling Haaland |
According to Spanish national news outlet Fichajes, if Chelsea fail to secure Haaland’s signature then the Blues will instead recruit Gerard Moreno. How’s that for a contingency plan?
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is said to be a big fan of the Spain international – and the Villarreal forward will be available for significantly less than Haaland.
The 29-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract at the Estadio de la Ceramica, is valued at £36m on transfermarkt – that’s £114m cheaper than Haaland’s eye-watering asking price.
Moreno was prolific for the Liga side last season notching 30 goals and providing 11 assists in all competitions.
 |
| Gerard Moreno scored 30 goals and providing eleven assists in all competitions for Villarreal last season |
He also scored in the Europa League final against Manchester United as the Yellow Submarine lifted the trophy – their first piece of European silverware.
The Blues are keen to sign a striker during the transfer window, with Tuchel looking to add attacking reinforcements ahead of their Premier League title bid next season.
It comes as no surprise that Chelsea are in the hunt for a new striker, too, especially after Timo Werner’s difficult debut season at Stamford Bridge and Tammy Abraham tipped to leave the club.
Haaland is under contract until the summer of 2024 after penning a long-term deal with the club upon his arrival – but will Chelsea have the funds to claw him away or will they move for Moreno instead? Only time will tell.