Gossip: Chelsea eye Bundesliga strike duo as Haaland alternatives

Ian Watson

Chelsea are determined to buy a striker from Germany, even if Borussia Dortmund refuse to sell Erling Haaland…

 

CHELSEA EYE HAALAND ALTERNATIVES
Chelsea appear to be hitting a brick wall in their pursuit of Erling Haaland…

The Norway goal machine is available next year for around £68million owing to a clause in his contract but Borussia Dortmund are demanding at least double that figure to even consider selling this summer.

So Chelsea are having to consider alternatives and the Daily Express has identified a couple.

One of them is Robert Lewandowski, who could be available for around £50million, even if Bayern Munich are insisting not. Lewandowski has two years left on his contract and turns 33 tomorrow.

The other is Sasa Kalajdzic, who bagged 17 goals for Stuttgart last season. Kalajdzic also caught the eye at Euro 2020 with Austria and the 24-year-old would cost around £34million.

 

MAN UTD MAKE SLOW PROGRESS WITH VARANE
Manchester United‘s move for Raphael Varane is moving slower than erosion but the Real Madrid defender seems to be creeping towards Old Trafford.

The MEN quotes sources suggesting United are ‘inching closer every day’ while Fabrizio Romano reckons Varane has told Real Madrid that he wants to move to the Premier League having given the Red Devils the wink that he would accept their contract terms.

All United need to do now is find an agreement with Real. The Guardian says initial discussions took place last week and they were ‘amicable’.

NAPOLI SNUB UNITED OFFER FOR KOULIBALY
Having been burned by Real Madrid centre-backs before, you wouldn’t blame United for lining up alternatives to Varane.

Gazzetta dello Sport reckons the Red Devils have approached Napoli over a deal for Kalidou Koulibaly.

Apparently, Napoli have said ‘no’ to United’s opening offer of just over £25million. The Italians are open to selling Koulibaly – they need to raise cash to fund their own recruitment – but they won’t allow any of their big names to go cheap, even if Koulibaly has ‘had his suitcase packed for the last 18 months’.

EVERTON EYE UP THIRD WINGER
Everton were also interested in Koulibaly, but they are too busy at the moment signing all the wingers…

It was reported yesterday that Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend would race to be Rafa Benitez’s first signings. Gray is set to arrive from Bayer Leverkusen for £1.5million, while Townsend will sign as a free agent after leaving Palace.

Still, Rafa wants another winger, with the Liverpool Echo reporting that Dwight McNeil is in his sights.

The Burnley wideman is likely to cost around £25million, but the Toffees have competition from Villa.