Haaland’s agent is ‘creating a race’ for Dortmund striker, claims Chelsea manager

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 5 min read

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has accused Mino Raiola of “creating a race” for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

The highly-rated Norway international is represented by Raiola and the super-agent was spotted in Barcelona on Thursday after having talks with the Catalan club’s president Joan Laporta.

Alongside Erling’s father Alf-Inge Haaland, the pair were also seen discussing matters with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in what was a very public affair.

The 20-year-old is one of the hottest properties in world football right now, and several of the continents top clubs have been linked with a move for the youngster.

READ MORE: How Tuchel’s Chelsea could line up with Erling Haaland

One of the sides rumoured to be taking an interest in Haaland is Tuchel’s Chelsea, but in a recent press conference, the German manager refused to comment on their current stance regarding the forward.

“I will not answer that out of respect for the player and Borussia Dortmund. There is big news around him and his agent,” he said at a press conference on Friday.

“It seems like they are creating a race for the player and I will fully accept this a player for Borussia Dortmund, a promising player of course. But he isn’t our player and is not in our squad. So, we will not comment on anything else regarding Haaland.”

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Could Haaland join Chelsea this summer?

With Olivier Giroud set to turn 35 next season and Timo Werner yet to fully convince during his time at Stamford Bridge, the Blues have been linked to several strikers ahead of the summer window.

Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero confirmed that he is set to depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the current campaign after enjoying ten successful years at the club, but Tuchel was unwilling to be drawn on whether this recent revelation could affect his transfer plans.

“You can ask, but it’s the same answer as Haaland. We have full respect for Manchester City and Sergio Aguero, who is a big player for them. There is no words needed for me about the achievements of this guy, he is a world-class player.

“But we have three competitions in which we are in with Manchester City, so I will not speak about their player.”

The Blues face West Brom over the weekend as Premier League football returns following the international break, and Tuchel will be hoping his side can secure all three points in their hunt for Champions League qualification.