Discussions over Manchester United target Benjamin Sesko were seemingly the catalyst for Chelsea to make their move and appoint Christoph Freund as their new sporting director. Freund, 45, is edging closer to being appointed at Stamford Bridge after carving out his reputation with RB Salzburg.
During his time with the Austrian outfit - where he has worked since 2006 and stepped into his current role almost a decade later - Freund unearthed Erling Haaland, Naby Keita, Dayot Upamecano and former Liverpool player Sadio Mane. The list of his gems is by no means exhaustive by those four current superstars.
Picking out such talents and offering them a stepping-stone to top European teams has been the remit for Freund, but his own move is next on the cards after Chelsea ramped up discussions for his services. His appointment is part of a revamped structure in West London.
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Having opted for Graham Potter to replace Thomas Tuchel as manager, new American owner Todd Boehly wanted Freund to work alongside him on transfers and appeared to have settled on the Austrian following their talks over highly-rated Sesko. United were, meanwhile, weighing up a move for the teenage frontman this summer before his future transfer to sister club RB Leipzig was confirmed.
Speaking about Sesko and Chelsea meetings, Freund said: "We spoke a lot more than a month or two ago because they were interested in signing Sesko. The new owners are interested in how we do things with young players, how we integrate them into the first team.
"But you have [those conversations] again and again with other clubs and that's it. You should never rule anything out in football and Chelsea are such a huge club."
Freund added: "Chelsea is such a huge club in transition. I can't say exactly what will happen in the next few weeks and months, but I'm sports director at Salzburg and I really enjoy it."
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