BORUSSIA DORTMUND are ‘optimistic’ star striker Erling Haaland will pen a new deal at the club as they denied reports of a £68million release clause.
Reports in Germany suggested an exit clause exists that if activated would allow the prolific Norwegian forward to leave in 2021 – but Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke rebuked the claims.
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Borussia Dortmund are confident of keeping Erling Haaland – and rebuked claims of a £68million release clauseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Watzke, in an interview with Bild, said: “There is no such agreement.”
Both Manchester United and Liverpool, as well as Spanish giants Real Madrid, have been linked with a move for the 20-year-old.
The Red Devils and Los Blancos suffered a blow when Liverpool were tipped to seal a future move by Haaland’s former side RB Salzburg’s sporting director Cristoph Freund.
However, all three European clubs could miss out if Dortmund chief Watzke, 61, has his way.
He added: “It is about convincing the player of your club and your plans. We really want Erling to stay with us longer and we want to convince him and his agent of this.
“I am quite optimistic. I think Erling is comfortable at BVB.
“We can definitively say that he took the right step last winter by signing for our club.
“I would consider it a mistake if he moved on after such a short amount of time.”
Haaland rejected United to join Dortmund from RB Salzburg for £18m in December 2019.
He has made a fast start to the latest Bundesliga season, bagging five goals in as many games with two assists to boot.
And according to CIES Football Observatory’s list of the most valuable players born in the 2000s, Haaland is fourth with a value of £108m.
Erling Haaland will be the best striker in the world
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
