Chelsea are still prioritising a move for Erling Haaland this summer, but Borussia Dortmund's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has delivered the west London club a big blow.
football.london understands that the Blues want to bring the 21-year-old Dortmund striker to the English capital this summer and see his signature as a priority.
However, Dortmund are understandably reluctant to sell Haaland, especially given their recent big-money sale of Jadon Sancho to Manchester United.
Haaland reportedly has a £70million release clause in his existing contract at Signal Iduna Park, but it doesn't become active until next summer, meaning Chelsea could pay more this summer to ensure they get the sought-after centre-forward.
But Dortmund's stance on the Norway striker has been the same all the way through the summer: he is not for sale - comments now echoed by Watzke.
The Dortmund CEO said: "It is pretty clear to me that Erling Haaland will stay at Dortmund, just as Julian Brandt will remain.
"I tend to say that every day but no one really seems to listen as I hear something new every week."
Haaland himself recently opened up on his contract with the German club and insisted he was "enjoying" his life at the moment, despite consistently being linked with a departure.
The Dortmund man said to Sports Bild: "First of all, I have three years left on my contract. I'm enjoying my time here."
Chelsea have also been linked with other strikers, just in case they struggle to secure the tricky signing of Haaland.
Former Blues star Romelu Lukaku has been involved in plenty of speculation and recent reports coming from Italy suggest the west London club could offer Timo Werner to Inter Milan as part of the deal.
Robert Lewandowski is another name that refuses to go away, but Bayern Munich president Herbert Haimer ruled out an exit for the Poland striker recently.
Speaking to Goal earlier this week, Haimer said: "Firstly, in my opinion, Lewandowski is the best striker in the world. We are so happy that we have him in our team.
"He still has two more years on his contract. He will definitely play those with Bayern Munich. I said it already a few weeks ago - I could imagine him staying with us for even longer. He will honour his contract.
"He will definitely play the next two seasons here in Bayern Munich."
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