Chelsea’s Bid Of Cash-Plus-Tammy Abraham OR Callum Hudson-Odoi Rejected By Dortmund For Erling Haaland

Chelsea have seen an opening player-plus-cash bid for Erling Braut Haaland rejected by Borussia Dortmund, according to reports in Germany.

Sportsmail revealed in March that the Blues are one of three European sides interested in the 20-year-old forward along with Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Haaland have been determined to keep hold of the Norwegian forward, who scored 41 goals in 41 games last season, and the striker returned to pre-season training with the German club this week.

And according to Sky Sports Germany, Chelsea offered cash plus one of Tammy Abraham or Callum Hudson-Odoi but the opening approach has been rebuffed by the Bundesliga club.

Hudson-Odoi, who nearly left the club to join Bayern Munich in 2020, started just seven Premier League matches after Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel took over following Frank Lampard’s sacking in January.

Abraham, meanwhile, has barely featured for the Blues since the German’s arrival and has only featured twice for the Blues since the middle of February.

The 23-year-old striker was left out of the matchday squad for the FA Cup final defeat to Leicester City, despite being both Chelsea and the competition’s top scorer that season.

German publication BILD reported that Roman Abramovich has opened up the funds for Chelsea to sign Haaland this summer, with one of Abraham, Hudson-Odoi or Hakim Ziyech set to be offered in the deal.

But Dortmund, however, are set to lose winger Jadon Sancho to Manchester United and are reluctant to part ways with another star despite Blues owner Roman Abramovich reportedly setting aside £150m to sign him.

The club’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Sky Germany that Haaland is focused on Dortmund and is ‘hungry’ and ‘comfortable’ playing for Dortmund.

Kehl said: ‘There is nothing new on this matter. He is in our plans. Erling will return this week and he will be very hungry.

‘He wants to play football, he feels comfortable with us and he will be eager to score many goals.’

The comments come not long after current sporting director Michael Zorc played down suggestions that Haaland could depart.

Haaland was all smiles as he arrived back at the training ground for the start of pre-season

Meanwhile, Dortmund have reportedly reached an agreement with Donyell Malen over a summer switch to Germany.