ASHLEY COLE: CHELSEA SHOULD SIGN HAALAND

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has advised the Blues to break the bank and do everything they can to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland this summer, even though he concedes that he knows how hard it will be to try and convince Dortmund to sell. The German Bundesliga giants have reiterated their long-standing desire to keep hold of the 20-year-old striker, insisting that they do not want to sell him this summer, but that could be hard for them as well.

Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, has reportedly asked the club to allow his client leave in this summer transfer window if any team activates his release clause (of around £70m - £100m) or they could risk losing him on a free transfer to direct rivals Bayern Munich next summer if they do not sell him in this coming transfer window.

Raiola has made his intention public that he would like to get another club for Haaland, and has already held talks with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the last few days so he can find the best club for his client. Other clubs that have been linked with Haaland are Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea. However, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the Teo major clubs that have shown the strongest of interest in signing the Norwegian starlet.

However, Ashley Cole believes that regardless of how much interest Barcelona and Real Madrid have shown, if Chelsea can play their cards right and do well to convince Raiola, they can get the deal over the line in the summer. Cole believes Chelsea should sign Haaland so they can allow Tammy Abraham to leave the club and also partner the young striker upfront with Timo Werner ahead of next season when they will be looking to challenge for titles.