CHELSEA lead Real Madrid in the race to sign both Erling Haaland and David Alaba this summer, according to reports.
The Blues have been long linked with the in-demand Bundesliga duo, even under Frank Lampard.
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But now, with new boss Thomas Tuchel at the helm, Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit of Alaba and Haaland.
According to many reports in Spain in recent months, Real Madrid have ‘agreed’ deals with both players.
Alaba is claimed to have all-but signed a £240,000 a week offer to join on a free transfer in the summer after Bayern Munich failed to tie him down to a new contract.
Borussia Dortmund and Madrid are claimed to have a deal in place which allows Haaland to join the Bernabeu giants in the summer of 2022.
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Los Blancos are hoping to first sign Kylian Mbappe this summer, before bringing Haaland in a year later, at which time his release clause of just £63m will be activated.
However, Chelsea look set to steal a march on the Spaniards and sign BOTH before Real have a chance, according to AS.
Haaland is believed to be Tuchel’s No1 transfer target and will therefore not wait until next summer when the Norwegian will be available more cheaply.
Chelsea are financially one of the most-strong teams in the world, particularly with Real Madrid struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, even forcing players to take wage cuts.
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The Blues could now gazump Madrid and make an offer for Haaland THIS summer.
An offer of over £100m would likely be required to tempt Dortmund to part with their star man.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could bring in another elite player in Alaba in the summer.
Alaba is available on a free after negotiations with Bayern Munich ended, with no chance of a resolution.
Real Madrid and Manchester City have both been linked.
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But with the Blues itching to sign a new long-term centre-back to partner Kurt Zouma and/or Antonio Rudiger, they could be willing to offer him a monster pay packet.
Tuchel famously prefers playing a back-three, but lacks world-class players to implement that system.
Thiago Silva will work for now but, aged 36, won’t be the long-term solution.
A back-three of Zouma, Rudiger and Alaba would work perfectly and allow Ben Chilwell to keep his spot at left-back – of left-wing-back in this case.
Dayot Upamecano is another name linked with a move to bolster Chelsea’s back-four under Tuchel.
