Chelsea turn attention to two deals with Rice, Haaland ‘stalling’

Chelsea are looking at two other deals this summer as their interest in Declan Rice and Erling Haaland appears to be hitting a dead end, according to reports.

The Blues seem determined to bring in quality this summer with Thomas Tuchel keen to sign a midfielder and a striker.

The goalscorer is particularly important with Timo Werner – despite some good performances – failing to hit the prolific heights he achieved at RB Leipzig.

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One name they have been consistently linked with this summer is Dortmund striker Haaland, who has scored an astonishing 57 goals in 59 matches for the Bundesliga outfit.

It has been rumoured that Tuchel wants Chelsea to sign the Norway international ‘immediately’, while the Blues reportedly put a players-plus-cash proposal forward to Dortmund in an attempt to persuade them to sell this summer.

Chelsea know that if they don’t sign him over the next two transfer windows then Haaland will be available for around £70m next summer due to a release clause in his contract.

The Athletic claim today that Dortmund’s position is unchanged on Haaland with the German outfit refusing to sell the player this summer.

Interest from Chelsea in Haaland ‘is very strong and hasn’t diminished’ but there is understood to be ‘no truth’ in reports that the Blues have offered players to Dortmund as part of a transfer.

Deals for Haaland and West Ham midfielder Rice are said to be ‘stalling’. Rice ‘hasn’t given up hope of a move back to Chelsea’ but he ‘will cost a fortune’ if Tuchel makes a move this summer.

Chelsea, knowing West Ham value the England international at £100m, have ‘not even attempted to initiate discussions’ – but ‘could include’ Tammy Abraham to sweeten any potential deal.

With transfers for Haaland and Rice appearing unlikely this summer, there is a ‘possibility of Chelsea going down a cheaper route’ as they look to sign a striker.

Southampton striker Danny Ings could be available for sale this summer with only a year left on his contract at St Mary’s and Chelsea ‘might be tempted to look in his direction if nothing else materialises’.

And the west Londoners are ‘giving serious consideration to acquiring Monaco’s highly-rated 21-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni instead’ of Rice, as he ‘would cost significantly less’.