Why Real Madrid, Barcelona & Man Utd lost interest in Haaland
FT Desk
- Updated: 28 Apr 2022 02:43 CDT
- 7 min read
It wasn’t so long ago that just about every major club in European football was desperate to land Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Whether it be Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid or Juventus, the Bundesliga star couldn’t go one week without a new story breaking over where he would be playing his football next season.
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In recent weeks such stories have completely dried up and it now seems as though the player looks set to make a move to Manchester City.
However, while that may be down to the English giants simply out-bidding their rivals, reports in Germany have now suggested that it could be due to Europe’s biggest clubs going cold on the Norway international.
He’s always injured
According to Sport1 reporters Patrick Berger and Oliver Müller, interest in the Dortmund striker has cooled in recent months due to his injury concerns.
"The offers are actually not flying in as easily as one would have expected a year ago," explains SPORT1 chief reporter Berger.
“The problem is the susceptibility to injury. Haaland only played 40 percent of the games and is currently complaining of foot pain again.
Müller added: "The fact that Haaland is injured in the phase in which a decision should actually be made undoubtedly plays a psychological role.
"This makes some people aware that you are taking a certain risk with such a mega deal."
He (still) costs too much
The German publication also pointed out that while Dortmund would only be asking for €75 million for the player, Man City are the only club to have offered the required €105 million to ensure Haaland’s agent and father also received a fee for the move.
As such, even if clubs could forgive the injury concerns, it seems as though the total package required to sign Haaland will prove too much for the likes of Barca, Madrid and Man Utd.
