Erling Haaland during a match

© PA ImagesErling Haaland during a match

The Blues are unable to sign players or even enter into negotiations as a result of the special license put in place by the UK government due to Abramovich’s links with Russia president Vladimir Putin.READ MORE: Manchester City dominate an XI of players destined never to win the Champions League

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said last week that the club would normally “have some targets and we would have for sure contacted some players and found out about their situations [but] our hands are tied.”

And ESPN claim that ‘one of the options senior figures at the club wanted to discuss was Haaland’.

Chelsea approached Dortmund over potentially signing the 21-year-old last summer before they moved for Romelu Lukaku, with the Bundesliga club insisting they wanted to keep him for another season.

Lukaku’s return has been far from successful and the striker is expected to discuss his future at the club when the new owners are in place, as Todd Boehly’s consortium continues to make progress to buy the club.

Should Lukaku leave, the club will likely be on the lookout for a replacement, though it’s unclear how much the new owners will put aside for transfers with the redevelopment of Stamford Bridge thought to be a priority.

Chelsea ‘frustrated’ as Abramovich sanctions haulted negotiations for Man City target Haaland (msn.com)