Race for Haaland: Why Premier League clubs have been boosted
Robin Bairner
- 25 Aug 2021 10:01 BST
- 3 min read
Erling Haaland will not leave Borussia Dortmund before next summer but jostling for position to get into pole position to land the Norway international forward has already begun.
Haaland’s agent in father were spotted in Spain earlier this summer holding discussion with Barcelona and Real Madrid, while it is also speculated that they spoke to numerous Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, there was a strong suggestion in the German press that Haaland could remain in the Bundesliga to sign with Bayern Munich.
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However, these thoughts have been scotched by a report in Sport Bild that states the 20-year-old will be beyond the financial capacity of Bayern.
"Why Bayern and Dortmund don't stand a chance," reads the headline.
With FCB, who were a strong contender to sign the prolific forward, out of the running, that represents positive news for the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, who could be in the market for a centre forward next season, and even Chelsea, whose willingness to spend big shows few bounds.
How much will Haaland cost?
Haaland’s transfer fee will not be the issue. Bild reports that his release clause stands at €75m and could rise to as much as €90m if bonuses are met.
Given the player’s quality, any of the game’s major clubs would be willing to pay that kind of money for him.
Where the difficulties are, though, are in his salary and agent fees.
This is more than 40% more than Lionel Messi and Neymar are presently earning at PSG and will by that stage make him the best-paid player in the world
- Mino Raiola, who is his agent, will ask for Haaland to be paid €50m per year. In context, this is more than 40% more than Lionel Messi and Neymar are presently earning at PSG and will by that stage make him the best-paid player in the world game as Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract with Juventus, which earns him €60m per year, will have expired.
On top of that, Raiola wants a €40m agent fee, according to the German source.
These fees are significant enough that even the wealthy Premier League sides may veer away from Haaland, especially Chelsea, whose relationship with Raiola has been complicated in recent years. It may, however, leave the door open for Man City or even Paris Saint-Germain, should they lose to make a move.
