Where Haaland’s massive contract demands would put him on football’s pay scale

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:39 CDT
• 4 min read

Erling Haaland is set to become one of the best paid players in world football when he leaves Borussia Dortmund – whether that is this summer or next.

A raft of major clubs are following the fortunes of the Norway international forward, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea the quartet most interested in the 20-year-old. Others, such as Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool are keeping tabs on the situation.

READ MORE: Three reasons why Erling Haaland could end up at Chelsea

Financing a move, however, was always likely to prove a possible stumbling block for most sides in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial issues that it has caused.

Goal reports that the wage demands of Haaland are proving an issue with regards a possible move. While it is doubtful that the likes of Barca and Madrid could hope to raise the estimated €150 million that it might take Dortmund to sell, the salary being demanded by Norway international simply puts him out of their bracket for this summer at least.

Indeed, with Haaland and agent Mino Raiola asking for €35 million per year, it is a figure that would place him among football’s very top earners.

Which footballer earns the most money?

L’Equipe published a study of the highest-earning footballers in March, based purely on their contracts with clubs and excluding sponsorship and endorsements.

It was topped by Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, who boasts an annual salary of €126m per year – more than twice as much as any other player in the game. Indeed, long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo comes up in second place, earning just short of €55m per year.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar completes the podium, with earnings of close to €37m.

These are the only three players who would be ahead of Haaland on the pay scale worldwide if a club meets his demands.

Indeed, even Kylian Mbappe, who is presently negotiating a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain, is only expected to scoop around €30m per year – a similar salary as Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale at Real Madrid.

If Mbappe does move to Real Madrid in the summer, it is believed that he accept a pay cut relative to what he would earn at PSG, so that tallies with the suggestion that Los Blancos would not be willing to meet the demands of Haaland as they stand.