Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl has claimed that Manchester City do not have an agreement to sign Barcelona, Real Madrid target Erling Haaland.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany (h/t Goal), Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has denied claims that Manchester City already have an agreement to sign Erling Haaland, who is a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid too.
Haaland is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market heading into the summer. The 21-year-old has a release clause worth £63 million (€75 million) which comes into play this summer. Clubs like Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid, among others, are lining up to trigger that and sign the Norwegian international.
Reports have indicated that Manchester City might already have a deal in place to sign Haaland from Dortmund in the summer. However, Kehl has refuted those claims, insisting that there have been no deals agreed upon yet, while adding that there is a deadline for a decision to be made over the striker’s future.
When asked if an agreement had been reached, Kehl replied, “No.” He then added, “There is a release clause, you know, and there is a deadline.”
?️ • Sebastian Kehl, Borrusia Dortmund director on Erling Haaland:
"There is a release clause, you know, and there is a deadline.'
"We want to make a decision as soon as possible."
[@SkySportDE/@MailSport] pic.twitter.com/PROW0XqSaE
— CITY TIME ? (@CITY_TIME_) April 17, 2022
So, as things stand, there is no agreement in place between City and Dortmund over a transfer for Haaland, which leaves the window open for both Real Madrid and Barcelona to make last-ditch efforts to land the centre-forward.
However, Manchester City are very confident that they can lure him to the Etihad Stadium next summer, having proposed a new, lucrative offer recently.
Erling Haaland has had an injury-riddled 2021/22 campaign during which he has scored 25 goals and set up eight more from 26 appearances across all competitions. One of the most prolific centre-forwards in the game currently, the Norwegian has enjoyed a steep and rapid rise to stardom since joining Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in the winter transfer window of 2020.
And as things stand, another big move awaits the 21-year-old superstar at the end of the ongoing season. It now remains to be seen who among Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona capture the signing of Haaland come the summer transfer window.
