Erling Haaland helps Antonio Nusa deliver a message while Chelsea regrets missing out on a £30 million transfer opportunity.
Antonio Nusa has once again demonstrated to Mauricio Pochettino what Chelsea lost out on after a deadline-day transfer to Stamford Bridge fell through. The 18-year-old forward was extensively linked with a move to west London late in the summer transfer window, but the Blues were more interested in signing Cole Palmer, so he remained at Club Brugge.
Nusa, whose contract at the Jan Breydel Stadium expires in 2027, has already made 46 appearances for the Belgian club, scoring seven goals and registering three assists. In fact, three of them have arrived in his first ten games this season, and he has reportedly attracted the attention of a number of Europe’s top clubs.
The adolescents impressive performances gained him a call-up to the Norway senior team this month, and he scored and assisted on his début in a 6-0 victory over Jordan – just one week after a transfer to Chelsea fell through. Then, a few days later against Georgia, Nusa resumed his excellent play and reminded the Blues of what they were missing.
In a must-win European Championship qualifying match, the youngster assisted on goals by Haaland and Martin Odegaard. Norway are only two points behind Spain in Group A due to Nusa’s efforts, with the assistance of the Premier League combination.
If Chelsea had been able to recruit the forward earlier this summer, Pochettino would have had significantly more options up front. Speaking to TV2 earlier this month, Nusa confirmed that the west Londoners made a bid to acquire him on August 30 during a Europa Conference League clash against Osasuna.
“I was unaware,” he stated, as quoted by Sport Witness. “I noticed there was a lot of information on my phone. After the game, my phone erupted. Then I questioned what transpired. Then I realized, “I already knew it wasn’t going to happen, but when the money appeared, I realized it for certain. Then, it is perceived significantly differently. When the money arrived, we had to have another conversation, but we were on the same page, so there was no issue. I already knew what to do, so it was perfect.”
When asked about Chelsea’s €34.8million (£29.8million) offer for him, Nusa responded, “That’s a lot of money. A substantial amount of money. However, I attempt not to dwell on it too much. I cannot concentrate on that, you know. I do not believe it is healthy for me.
“We are discussing very large organizations, which is where you hope to be in the future. I attempt not to consider money at all. There is a lot of money in football, but I am not thinking about that. It is where I can grow and become the best I can be.”
Erling Haaland helps Antonio Nusa deliver a message while Chelsea regrets missing out on a £30 million transfer opportunity.