Why Haaland could REJECT Madrid, Man Utd and Chelsea for Dortmund stay

Robin Bairner

6 Oct 2021 12:32 BST
3 min read

Erling Haaland celebrates hat-trick in DFB-Pokal first round — © ProShots

Erling Haaland’s scoring exploits for Borussia Dortmund have made him the hottest property on the transfer market.

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Having found the net 68 times in 67 matches since moving to the Bundesliga side in January 2020, the Norway international has attracted the interest of all of Europe’s major clubs.

Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain all reportedly want a piece of the forward.

Indeed, with a release clause coming into effect in the summer of 2022, which will allow bidding clubs the opportunity to hold talks with the forward if they offer Dortmund around €90 million.

It is almost taken for granted that Haaland will leave BVB next summer – but it may not be quite as simple as that for the clubs chasing the 21-year-old forward.

Sport Bild reports that Haaland may yet elect to stay in Germany for a further year and shun the interest being shown for him.

And the report is backed is with three strong reasons.

Experience

Haaland is simply loving playing for Dortmund and there is a great deal to keep him at the club. It is reported that he is embracing his status as a locker-room leader and is in the process of learning German. Furthermore, he has close relationships with several members of the BVB squad, most notably Jude Bellingham, who he is said to be best friends with.

Sponsorship incentives

Haaland’s deal with Nike is up in January and Dortmund’s kit sponsor Puma are ready to offer him incentives to both join them and remain with the club. Indeed, they are willing to part-fund a wage wise from €8 million to €15m.

While this is considerably less than he might earn elsewhere – Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola reportedly wants the player to earn €50m annually – the player is presently more interested with his sporting future than making big money.

Dortmund's Erling Haaland celebrates a goal with Youssoufa Moukoko — © ProShots

Rose relationship

Haaland’s close relationship with head coach Marco Rose will also play into Dortmund’s hands. The pair previously worked together with Red Bull Salzburg, and they remain on exceptionally good terms.

Haaland’s future may lie away from Borussia Dortmund – but it should not be taken for granted that he will be leaving next summer.