Chelsea to ‘rip up wage structure’ in desperate bid to secure Erling Haaland

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Chelsea will likely have to smash their wage bill to secure top target Erling Haaland this summer.

The Blues' admiration for the Borussia Dortmund striker is well-known, and they are one of the clubs in pole position to sign the 20-year-old hitman.

However, if Chelsea can prise Haaland away from Germany, the deal would almost certainly mean the club would have to revise their current wage structure to accommodate the prolific Norwegian.

This would see Haaland’s wage eclipse that of current high-earner Ngolo Kante, who is currently on a huge £290,000 a week, according to The Athletic.

Haaland’s father, former Manchester City star Alf-Inge, and agent Mino Raiola have pursued several elite clubs on the striker’s behalf and are keen to secure him a blockbuster contract.

One potential hindrance to any deal for Chelsea is the extortionate £150million fee that Dortmund are likely to demand for their prized asset.

However, the Norwegian star would be able to leave Germany for a vastly reduced sum of £65million next summer due to a clause in his current contract

Haaland has already indicated his preference to remain at Dortmund this season when discussing new boss Marco Rose ahead of a return to pre-season training.

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Haaland said: "I talked a little bit with new manager Marco Rose. I know him from before because I had six months with him in Salzburg. He’s a nice guy and I look forward to working with him."

Chelsea’s pursuit could also be complicated by Italian giants Juventus, who are keen on Haaland replacing Cristiano Ronaldo next season, according to La Reppublica.

Reports in Germany this week indicated that Roman Abramovich had freed up funds for the Blues to make their move for Haaland imminently, though they would need to include one of Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi or Hakim Ziyech as part of the deal.

However, Juventus' healthy relationship with Raiola could see them try to scupper any deal.

It’s that interest from Italy which could tempt Chelsea into paying a higher fee now rather than enter a bidding war next summer.

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• Chelsea FC
• Erling Haaland
• Borussia Dortmund FC

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