Transfer News: Stuttgart striker Sasa Kalajdzic is back on Chelsea’s radar.

Chelsea interested in £34m-rated 17-goal forward as Erling Haaland alternative

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Transfer News: Chelsea interested in Sasa Kalajdzic as Haaland alternative

According to transfer news from The Athletic [Subscription Required], Chelsea are considering VfB Stuttgart’s Austrian forward Sasa Kalajdzic as an alternative option in case they fail to sign Erling Haaland.

Chelsea are in the market for a new centre-forward this summer and have identified Haaland as their top priority. However, a move for the Norwegian is proving to be difficult, with Borussia Dortmund digging their heel in and insisting that the 20-year-old is not for sale.

Chelsea would need a humungous bid in order to force the German outfit into changing their stance. As a result, the Blues are keeping their options and are looking at cheaper alternatives, with Kalajdzic now emerging as one, as per the aforementioned report.

Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, is a transfer target for Chelsea and has impressed with his scoring stats in Germany.
Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, is a transfer target for Chelsea and has impressed with his scoring stats in Germany. (GETTY Images)

Kalajdzic came through the youth ranks at Austrian club SR Donaufeld before earning his spurs at FC Admira Wacker, where he impressed a fair bit, securing a transfer to VfB Stuttgart in the summer of 2019. The 24-year-old endured an injury-riddled debut season in Germany but shone brightly in the 2020/21 campaign.

Indeed, Kalajdzic produced an impressive haul of 17 goals and six assists from 36 games in all competitions. The forward also looked good during Austria’s brief stay in the UEFA Euro 2020. And, it seems like the centre-forward has made an impression on Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. (h/t The Athletic)

The report further adds that Stuttgart are under no pressure to sell Kalajdzic this summer but would demand a transfer fee of £34m should they decide to part ways with the striker.

Sasa Kalajdzic has emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea
Sasa Kalajdzic has emerged as a transfer target for Chelsea

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Kalajdzic isn’t exactly a similar type of player to Haaland. But, the 24-year-old showed his goalscoring prowess over the past year and could be a worthy option to consider in case Chelsea miss out on the Dortmund superstar.