The transfer window is proving to be a busy time for Chelsea, but it appears they are having trouble with one transfer target
Chelsea’s hopes of signing Andreas Schjelderup have been hit by the Benfica ace’s desire to play in the Champions League. The Blues’ disappointing campaign last season left them outside the European places entirely.
Xabi Alonso’s side are looking to transform the team and look to have wrapped up a move for Atalanta ace Marco Palestra. However, Schjelderup, who has also been linked with Tottenham and Liverpool, is also understood to be on their list.
The Norway international enjoyed a strong campaign last season, contributing ten goals and seven assists in 43 appearances for the Portuguese heavyweights. However, there is a major roadblock in the way of Chelsea’s ambitions of signing him.
Get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox by signing up to our Make Football Great Again newsletter now!
The lack of Champions League football is expected to be a huge struggle for the west Londoners. Portuguese newspaper Record has claimed the Blues have made contact to enquire about the conditions of a transfer.
However, it also states not much development has been made because the 22-year-old wants to play in the Champions League. This desire may also rule out Tottenham as a potential destination for him.
FOLLOW OUR CHELSEA FB PAGE! Latest Blues news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Benfica would reportedly demand a fee of around £34.4million if they were to sign him, despite the fact he has a £86m release clause in his contract. However, the transfer fee is irrelevant if he decides he only wants a team that is in Europe’s elite competition.
Chelsea’s absence, not just from the Champions League, but in European football entirely, may prove to be a major headache for Alonso.
He is already coming to terms with experienced left-back Marc Cucurella leaving the club to join Real Madrid.
Midfield general Enzo Fernandez may be set to follow him out of the exit door, after being heavily linked with a move to the Spanish capital. Cucurella even said he wants to see Fernandez leave Stamford Bridge and join him at the Bernabeu.
He said to Radio Marca: “[Fernández] is a great player, and he’s a friend of mine. He congratulated me on my signing [for Madrid]. Let’s hope it gets done. I’d be very happy.
“We’ve been very happy at Chelsea, and both having the chance to sign for Madrid in the same summer…let’s hope he’s lucky, and he becomes a Real Madrid player.”
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with the Sky Glass ‘designed for football’
from £4.50
Sky
Get the deal here
Sky is knocking 20% off its entire range of Glass TVs to mark the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to the Sky smart TV that’s ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 per month when taken alongside a Sky TV and Netflix package.
