Chelsea are set to receive a welcome windfall which will help to boost their transfer budget next summer.
Due to the Blues serving a transfer window ban, Frank Lampard is yet to make a signing since replacing Maurizio Sarri as head coach at Stamford Bridge back in July.
The west London’s appeal was heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) a couple of weeks ago at their headquarters in Switzerland and a final a decision as to whether the ban will be reduced is likely to be made at some point this month.
Worst case scenario is that Chelsea’s can’t do any business in the January window.
That would mean Lampard has to wait until the summer window for the opportunity to bolster his squad and there has been reports that Chelsea’s hierarchy have set aside a £150m transfer budget to make up for lost time.
And that figure looks likely to increase.
According to Tuttosport, as per Football Italia, Atalanta will take up the option to turn midfielder Mario Pasalic’s loan move into a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
The Croatia international is currently into the final few months of his loan deal with the Serie A outfit and has clearly done enough to earn a permanent move.
Should he opt to join La Dea then Chelsea will pocket a cool €15m (£12.7m).
Pasalic recently served a timely reminder to Chelsea and Lampard with a goal against Manchester City in the Champions League.
The midfielder equalised with a fine header which gave Claudio Bravo – on for Ederson at half-time – absolutely no chance and earned Atalanta a point against Pep Guardiola’s side.
That prompted some Chelsea fans to suggest a recall for the 24-year-old.
However, Pasalic did reveal last season that he wanted to stay in one place after numerous loan spells away from Chelsea.
“I like it here. In the past, I’ve changed shirts so many times and it isn’t easy, he said.
“I’d like to stay somewhere for three or four years in one place. We’ll see how this campaign goes and we’ll sit down afterwards. I need the right city and the right club to improve.
“I know that if I do well, I can show that I can be one of the greats.”
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