Haaland: I’m respectful towards Dortmund contract
Erling Haaland has said he will be “respectful” towards his Borussia Dortmund contract ahead of a potential summer of offers for the forward.
The Norway international, 20, is under contract at Dortmund until 2024 but has a reported €75m (£66m) release clause, which comes into effect in the summer of 2022.
The player’s representatives – agent Mino Raiola and father Alf Inge – visited Barcelona and Madrid for talks in April, while he has also been linked with Manchester City and Manchester United.
read also:BREAKING: Brentford promoted to EPL after Play-Off win vs Swansea
Raiola acknowledged Dortmund do not want to sell the striker, who scored 41 goals in 41 games this season, and Haaland has suggested he could stay beyond the summer.
“Well, I have a contract for a couple of years so I am respectful towards my contract,” Haaland told Viaplay.
Sky Sports News’ James Cooper writes: “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has talked about ‘finetuning’ this summer rather than wholesale changes with a suggestion there’ll be one major, marquee signing accompanied by a couple of other new faces.
“Finance was an issue last summer and a year of football amidst a pandemic hasn’t made the economics any easier at Old Trafford either, so I don’t expect a huge cash injection to suddenly make everything alright.
“After extending Edinson Cavani’s stay in Manchester and with hopes high for Mason Greenwood’s continuing development, it would be a surprise if one of either Harry Kane or Erling Haaland arrived at Old Trafford. It doesn’t mean they haven’t been looked at, they have, but Manchester United have other areas they need to strengthen and their transfer cash can only stretch so far.
“Raising finance from player sales or freeing up big chunks of wages from departures would, again, allow a greater flexibility and Solskjaer and his recruitment team also remain admirers of Jadon Sancho.
“The key to what Manchester United want to do, against a backdrop where supporters are demanding big names despite the impact of COVID, is close the gap on Manchester City and prepare for a real tilt at the Champions League next season. It’s the first transfer window for the club’s new recruitment structure too and they can expect to be busy in the weeks ahead.”