Serious injury or minor injury? Concerns about Erling Haaland’s state of health are currently pushing the guesswork about his sporting future, which has been going on for months, into the background.
Due to muscular problems in the sensitive adductor area, the exceptional striker from Borussia Dortmund is threatened with the third longer compulsory break this season. Nevertheless, the final transfer poker will begin in the coming weeks – accompanied by a lot of speculation.
Initial situation: The contract of the exceptional striker with BVB, who was committed for around 20 million euros at the end of December 2019, runs until 2024, but contains an exit clause. With their help, he could leave the Revierclub this summer for a reported transfer fee of 75 million euros.
Small circle of possible clubs
Applicants: There are many interested clubs, but only a few could pay for Haaland. The total package of salary, transfer fee and commissions is estimated at well over 200 million euros. This significantly limits the circle of serious applicants – especially in economically difficult times of the pandemic. According to BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke, Real Madrid’s interest is “guaranteed”. For the heavily indebted Real competitor Barcelona, however, the sum should hardly be able to be lifted. Nevertheless, the Spanish media reported that the two sides were getting closer. From the Premier League, Chelsea FC in particular is considered a possible new club for Haaland.
A feat of strength: In an effort to keep Haaland beyond this summer, BVB is said to be reaching its financial limits. According to media reports, he was promised a doubling of his salary. Should the Torgarant go into it, he would allegedly be by far the best-paid professional in the club’s history. “Maybe there will be 2.50 euros more,” Watzke recently commented casually on the TV channel Bild. Last weekend he became a little clearer on two Sky: “We have basic ideas that we would like to share with Erling and his advisors. Then we’ll see if this idea works or not.”
Help from Puma
Sponsor: The BVB efforts are flanked by jersey sponsor Puma, who wants to sign the star. The fact that Puma boss Björn Gulden is not only a Haaland compatriot, but also a friend of the family and is emotionally close to BVB as a member of the supervisory board, could help. «Of course, my recommendation would be that he stays with Borussia for another year. But I also know that he is being pulled from all sides, »he told the «Ruhr Nachrichten». In Gulden’s opinion, however, an equipment contract with Puma would hardly influence Haaland’s decision: “The choice of equipment supplier and club must be considered in isolation from each other.”
Excitement: At the start of the final contract game, Haaland distanced himself from BVB. In a well-received interview with the Norwegian TV station Viaplay, he got excited about an alleged demand from the club’s top management to clarify his future by March. “Now the club has started urging me to make a decision,” complained Haaland, adding with a threatening undertone: “You want an answer. So it’s time to get things done.” Watzke tried to calm things down last weekend. “We have made that clear, there is no ultimatum. There’s no quarrel between us at all, we’re good with each other.”
Time’s running
Time window: Even without an ultimatum, BVB does not want to wait months for a decision. “Because it’s so important to us, we have to be able to plan with certainty from a certain point,” commented future sports director Sebastian Kehl. However, Haaland’s recent injury should not contribute to an increase. Just as little as the unconfirmed media reports on the health of Haaland adviser Mino Raiola. “I have no contact with him because – I think – he is not allowed to have any contact. I can only say things secondhand. I think he’s not doing so well, »said Watzke on Sky.
Alternatives: At BVB, the search for a Haaland replacement has long been in full swing. New names appear in the media almost every day. «If Erling leaves, we will find another and good solution. It’s important that we stay creative,” commented Watzke. The most promising candidate is said to be Karim Adeyemi. BVB did not comment on reports that an agreement had already been reached with the 20-year-old international from Salzburg. Because his contract does not contain an exit clause until 2024, BVB would have to dig deep into the club’s coffers. According to reports, Salzburg is asking for a fee of between 30 and 40 million euros. (dpa)