Roman Abramovich has 'given the green light for Chelsea to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer'.
The 20-year-old striker has excelled at Dortmund since joining from RB Salzburg last January and is on the radar of a number of top sides across Europe.
According to BILD, Chelsea are right in the hunt and owner Abramovich has given his permission for a move worth more than €100million.
New Blues boss Thomas Tuchel could infuriate his old side by trying to lure their prised striker away from the club after one-and-a-half seasons.
He risks the ire of sporting director Michel Zorc, manager Hans-Joachim Watzke and any Dortmund fans who still hold him in high regard.
But Haaland is both one for the future and the here and now. Chelsea are desperately in need of a dependable presence up front and the Norwegian seems to tick those boxes.
Abramovich's fortune means the Stamford Bridge club can easily afford the striker when other top sides have to be wary of overspending with finances so badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Haaland's agent added fuel to the fire of speculation about a move away this week, saying: 'Only a maximum of ten clubs can afford to buy Haaland and give him the same platform as Dortmund.'
Zorc then hit back with: 'It is obvious to everyone that Erling will not switch to every club after his time at BVB.
'I don't even get to ten. We are happy that we have Erling here and continue planning with him!'
Despite recruiting Timo Werner last year, the forward has been deployed largely out wide and not been as effective as hoped.
Olivier Giroud is still able to offer top contributions but at 34 is entering the final chapter of his career. And Tammy Abraham is frustrated by a lack of game time, unwilling to sign a new deal while the club pursue Haaland.
Manchester United are also understood to be in the hunt for the 20-year-old and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer dropped a hint about talks.
He said: 'I think when you have had kids and players through as a coach you follow them.
'I keep in touch with Erling - it is great to see him become the player he has become.
'He is a Dortmund player and we wish him well there. Let's see what life will bring later on.'
Haaland has scored 26 goals so far this season and a remarkable 17 in 17 Bundesliga games.
His output is extraordinary for a player so young and there's good reason why the top clubs in Europe are pursuing him.
He's also been touted as Bayern Munich's long term replacement for Robert Lewandowski so United, Chelsea and any other side who want to sign Haaland could face a bidding war with hot competition to seal a deal.