Chelsea might finally be progressing into sorting out the striker situation these next couple of weeks.
I was always told that Chelsea want Tammy Abraham’s departure, if it happens, to be a little way along the line before they commit with an official offer for a new striker themselves.
Chelsea won’t sanction Abraham leaving until they know they are bringing in a new striker themselves, and vice a versa.
West Ham were the team most interested in signing Abraham, and although he was considering this, any deal there now looks to have broken down. Partly because West Ham cannot afford his wages, and partly because Abraham actually prefers to join Arsenal.
That information is according to the reliable West Ham and Chelsea insider, ExWHUemployee.
I can actually confirm part of this, as I have also been told that Abraham wants to stay in London and it is Arsenal that is his preferred destination.
However, at the moment they are reluctant to pay Chelsea’s asking price of £40m for Abraham and they would prefer just a loan move, or a cheaper permanent move, obviously.
Chelsea haven’t ruled out a loan, but they want to insert an obligation to buy for £40m, there has been no conclusion on this as of yet, but Arsenal are keen on signing him.
There have been whispers from other sources (not my own) that Chelsea are prepared to lower their asking price for Abraham to £30m, which could suggest the need to sell him so they can conclude the signing of a new striker themselves, as it will need to be one in, and one out.
Check out my latest on Erling Haaland and Romelu Lukaku here.
I know Olivier Giroud has gone, but he was very much a backup striker. I feel that Chelsea would be happy to go into the season with Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, and a new striker as the options up top.
Armando Broja still has a shot, although surprisingly he was left out of the Chelsea squad yesterday and played for the development squad instead. Michy Batshuayi got the nod and the minutes ahead of him.
I can only speculate what all that means, but things should unfold as we move through the days now approaching the start of a new season.
Simon Phillips