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Recent reports have indicated that Chelsea are the only team willing to pay the big money required to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer. With Olivier Giroud currently on the verge of joining AC Milan, the Blues can also look to several others within their ranks who could be moved on to raise the funds necessary to truly kick the Haaland transfer into action. Express Sport looks at five in particular.
Kepa Arrizabalaga
The Spaniard, who can most often be found warming the bench at Stamford Bridge, still holds the record as the most expensive goalkeeper in the world.
Almost a year ago, then-manager Frank Lampard was forced to go into the transfer market to bring in Edouard Mendy who would immediately replace the 26-year-old.
Kepa became infamous for his mishaps between the sticks, notching the worst save percentage in Premier League history during the 2019/20 season.
Unfortunately for the Blues, he was handed a jaw-dropping seven-year contract when he signed in 2018, so it will not be easy to move him on.
They can kiss goodbye to the majority of the £71.6million they shelled out for the Spaniard, that’s if someone is willing to take a punt on the out of favour stopper.
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Ross Barkley
The 33-cap Englishman spent last season on loan at Aston Villa where he impressed in spells, although he did not do enough to encourage a permanent move.
With all due respect, if he failed to make the grade at Villa Park, he is almost certain to be surplus to requirements at the reigning Champions League holders.
Still in his mid-twenties, Barkley can still be a force in the middle of the park on his day.
A selection of Premier League clubs have flirted with the idea of signing him this summer, as he could undoubtedly be one of those to make way as the fat continues be trimmed on Chelsea’s squad.
Tammy Abraham
In Chelsea blue, Abraham has endured the unfortunate journey of going from zero to hero, and back to zero again.
It is crucial to note, however, that his recent descent is through no fault of his own, but a simple over-subscription of strikers at Stamford Bridge.
Timo Werner, Kai Kavertz and Giroud were all competing with him for minutes up top last season, so the striker who was virtually the main man under Frank Lampard quickly found himself frozen out.
With Giroud now off to Italy, it seems as though the only way Abraham stays with the club is if they do not pursue the Haaland deal.
If they do, there will be plenty of interest in a 6ft 3in striker who has become a proven Premier League goal-scorer by the age of 23.
Kenedy
From a selection of household names in west London to a player who may have slipped people’s minds.
Kenedy moved to Stamford Bridge as a promising teenager. Now in his mid-twenties, he has broadly failed to establish himself in the Chelsea first-team and it looks as though his time has come to move on.
After a relatively successful loan spell with Newcastle in 2018/19, he demonstrated that he can bring quality on the wing at the top level.
Having not reported back for pre-season training, however, it appears as though his permanent exit from the club will be negotiated sooner rather than later.
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