Striker target, at least third on Chelsea’s list, delivers transfer blow
Sasa Kalajdzic has suggested he would be more than happy to sign a contract extension at Stuttgart, handing Chelsea a blow over signing the striker.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has aspirations of signing a new striker this summer and he is believed to have a list of targets.
Erling Haaland is believed to be top if that list with Timo Werner, signed for £45million last summer, struggling to to convince Tuchel. Tammy Abraham, meanwhile, has fallen out of favour under Tuchel and has interest from Arsenal.
Haaland will cost over £100million if he moved clubs this summer, given he only recently turned 21.
Previous reports have claimed that Abramovich has freed up £150million to fund Chelsea’s move. Indeed, he felt that Borussia Dortmund would not be able to refuse that sum, as much as they would want to.
According to the latest from Football Insider, though, the Blues’ Russian owner has had a change of heart.
He is only willing to submit a maximum offer of £130million and is preparing to send such a bid.
What is clear is that any move for Haaland will not be straight forward.
Chelsea are understood to have picked out Romelu Lukaku as their alternative to Haaland, according to Sky Italia.
The former Man Utd frontman will also come at a premium though and so Austria international Kalajdzic is also thought to be on Chelsea’s list of potential alternatives.
Kalajdzic, 26, is at best third on Tuchel’s hit list though, but with his Stuttgart deal set to expire in under two years’ time he would appear to be an easier target to land.
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Kalajdzic open to remaining at Stuttgart
However, the 6ft 7in forward says he can now envisage himself remaining with the Bundesliga club for longer.
Speaking to Kleine Zeitung, Kalajdzic said: “Of course, I can imagine extending my contract. But that would also have to fit. It’s not just me who decides that; it’s also decided by others.
“Something would have to come along that would just fit, and then we’ll see. If there’s something that really impresses me, where I say I want to do that, then I’ll do it.
“I am relaxed. I don’t really think about it much. I’m just here right now, having fun with my friends and trying to prepare for every single training session.”
Kalajdzic struck 16 goals and assisted six more for Stuttgart in the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. He also scored against Italy during Euro 2020.
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