THOMAS TUCHEL is set to be handed a £260million transfer warchest by Roman Abramovich this summer, according to reports.
And that could see the Chelsea boss go all out to land Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
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According to Tutto Mercato, the huge fund will be available to Tuchel regardless of whether he secures Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season.
Abramovich bankrolled a whopping £230m spending splurge last summer as the Blues signed Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Edouard Mendy to revamp the squad.
But the Russian billionaire – who has recently splashed out £430m on another new yacht – appears prepared to stump up yet more cash to help his club challenge among Europe’s elite once again.
The No1 priority will be Haaland.
He has a £65m release clause which takes effect in his Dortmund contract in the summer of 2022.
But Abramovich is thought to be keen to steal a march on his competitors – namely Barcelona, Real Madrid and the two Manchester clubs – by making a move this summer instead.
The report suggests he will essentially write a blank cheque to ensure Chelsea sign Haaland, regardless of the price.
Norway’s red-hot striker has scored a phenomenal 43 goals in 43 appearances since moving to the Bundesliga side from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
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However, with £260m at Tuchel’s disposal, he will no doubt have plenty of spare cash even if Haaland does arrive in West London.
Despite Mendy’s impressive performances between the sticks this term, the Blues have been linked with fellow goalkeepers Jan Oblak and Dean Henderson in recent weeks.
A new centre-back also seems to be high on the wish list with RB Leipzig man Ibrahima Konate and Bayern Munich’s Niklas Sule both targeted.
David Alaba is yet to confirm his next move once he leaves Bayern for free – but despite Antonio Rudiger’s best efforts, he looks set to head to the Bernabeu on £400,000 per week.
Bids could also go in for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie and Tuchel’s former Dortmund winger Jonas Hofmann – now at Borussia Monchengladbach.
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