Roman Abramovich should sign off Erling Haaland transfer to help Chelsea keep pace

Will Chelsea sign a striker this summer?

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Roman Abramovich is not usually a man to sit on the sidelines when money is being spent, but he is yet to show his hand in this summer’s transfer window. Chelsea are in the market for reinforcements yet have not made any major moves, unlike some of their competitors.

While Manchester United are busy wrapping up their £80million move for Jadon Sancho and Manchester City are reportedly chasing big-money moves for Harry Kane and Jack Grealish, all is relatively quiet in west London.

Chelsea are known to be in the market for a top-class striker this summer and they have also coveted Inter Milan full-back Achraf Hakimi. But so far there have been few signs of progression at Stamford Bridge.

Hakimi is reportedly set to join Paris Saint-Germain because the French giants are willing to pay £60m (€70m) for the Moroccan international’s signature. Meanwhile, the striker pursuit remains an open book for Chelsea.

The Blues are not a club who can easily be priced out of a transfer. They spent over £200m on players less than 12 months ago and Abramovich is certainly not shy in splashing the cash.

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It could be argued that the arrivals of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy makes the Russian owner less likely to invest heavily this summer, but in fact the opposite might be true.

Abramovich was in Porto to see Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Man City in the Champions League final and the win is sure to have whetted his appetite for more success under Thomas Tuchel.

The Premier League title is the main goal in 2021/22 – and to achieve it Tuchel needs a striker.

Havertz registered nine goals last season. Werner got 12 in all competitions, but just six in 35 Premier League appearances.

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Jorginho finished the 2020/21 season as Chelsea’s top scorer in the Premier League with seven goals, all of which were penalties.

Chelsea scored 58 goals in the league – the fewest of the top seven sides and less than newly-promoted Leeds United, who managed 62.

Erling Haaland scored 41 by himself for Borussia Dortmund last season. Romelu Lukaku managed 30 for Inter Milan. Kane netted 28 for a struggling Tottenham side.

The solution to Chelsea’s weakness is obvious – and with Abramovich’s money and Marina Granovskaia’s negotiating acumen they have the means to solve it.

The numbers involved in a potential move for Haaland are eye-popping: £150m in transfer fees and £300,000 per week in wages.

Given he reportedly has a release clause in his contract which would allow him to leave for £68m next summer, the move doesn’t appear to make much financial sense.

But with Man City already streets ahead in the Premier League, having won three of the last four titles, and making moves in the transfer market, can Chelsea really afford to pass up the opportunity to sign the world’s most exciting striker?

If Pep Guardiola has Kane and Grealish in his squad City will look a daunting prospect for any side to compete with next season.

Yet the arrival of Haaland at Stamford Bridge would undoubtedly turn heads and could tip the balance in Chelsea’s direction.

Tuchel appeared to have hit on a winning formula with the Blues at the end of last season, securing a top-four finish and the Champions League trophy.

Just imagine the damage they could do with Haaland leading the line.

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