The future of Erling Haaland was always going to be the main transfer saga of the summer, and Chelsea appear to be the early frontrunners for the 20-year-old's signature.
The Norwegian forward scored 41 goals in 41 games for Borussia Dortmund last season and has stapled himself as one of the top strikers in Europe.
Thomas Tuchel's Blues, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all keen on bringing in Haaland to secure guaranteed goals for the upcoming campaign. Whoever the striker joins will be an early influence on at least one of the European title races this summer.
With Chelsea's interest in Haaland stepping up in the last few days, Sportsmail answers the all-important questions on whether the 20-year-old will end up at Stamford Bridge come the end of August...
Erling Haaland is one of the major transfer talking points in the current summer window so far
Chelsea are stealing an early march for Haaland thanks to director Marina Granovskaia (left)
What interest have Chelsea shown so far?
Chelsea's interest in signing Haaland dates back to March, when Sportsmail revealed that the Blues, Real and City were the three main clubs interested in the young forward.
When the season ended at the end of May and beginning of June, the Blues then opened talks with Dortmund over Haaland's availability, with Chelsea hearing that they could end up paying as much as £170million for him.
Chelsea's interest in an often disgruntled Haaland has been going on since March
Earlier this week, reports in Germany claimed that Roman Abramovich had freed up the funds for the Blues to go and get Haaland for £150m, though they would need to include one of Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Tammy Abraham as part of the deal.
On Thursday, Sky Sports Germany claimed Dortmund had rebuffed an opening offer from Chelsea for Haaland - which involved cash and one of Abraham or Hudson-Odoi.
Given the Premier League side's long-running interest in the 20-year-old, the Blues are expected to return with another offer. This is not the last you've heard of this transfer saga.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly released the £150m needed to sign Haaland
What have Dortmund said about Chelsea's interest?
The German club hold all the cards but have been silent on any claims that Chelsea made an opening bid for the striker.
Haaland recently returned to pre-season training with Dortmund and the Bundesliga side's hierarchy were bombarded with questions about the striker's future.
The club's sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Sky Germany this week: 'There is nothing new on this matter. He is in our plans. Erling will return this week and he will be very hungry.
Haaland (left) returned to pre-season training with Dortmund this week despite speculation
'He wants to play football, he feels comfortable with us and he will be eager to score many goals.'
Fellow sporting director Michael Zorc was more light-hearted about Haaland's future this week, joking that Haaland is 'already in England' when many questioned why the Norwegian did not show up for pre-season fitness training.
The 20-year-old was spotted later in the week with a smile on his face in training despite the intense speculation over his future.
Director Sebastian Kehl has said that Haaland wants to play and is comfortable at Dortmund
Is the deal likely to happen?
That is the magic question. And there's a very difficult answer to it.
On paper, the deal could easily happen. Chelsea transfer director Marina Granovskaia has a track history of getting what she wants, while Dortmund's entire club structure is based on selling players at their peak and reinvesting.
But the German club have shown in recent years that they can be tough negotiators. After all, they have never had a player who is as valuable as Haaland.
Chelsea transfer director Granovskaia has a track history of getting what she wants in markets
That will be seen as a major challenge to Granovskaia, Abramovich's
