Borussia Dortmund ‘set £154m price tag for star striker Erling Haaland this summer’
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly set a staggering £154m asking price for Erling Haaland this summer as they look to thwart off attempts to sign their star striker.
The Norwegian forward has been sensational since arriving at Dortmund from RB Salzburg last January, scoring 49 goals in as many games, including 10 in six Champions League matches this season.
With Dortmund struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League, the likes of Manchester United, Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all on red alert but ESPN report that Dortmund have set a premium of £154m (€180m) for the 20-year-old, a year before a £65m release clause kicks in.
Borussia Dortmund have reportedly set a staggering £154m asking price for Erling Haaland
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (L) is a known admirer while City manager Pep Guardiola (R) is interested
The report details that the expensive price-tag, which would be a Premier League record transfer if he moved to England, is designed to ward off Europe’s biggest clubs, in a similar stance taken with Jadon Sancho and Manchester United’s pursuit of him last summer.
Dortmund believe that the asking price should result in Haaland staying at the club for at least another year.
Nevertheless, Man City are seen as the favourites in terms of being able to match Dortmund’s asking price.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a known admirer of his compatriot, but he did note recently that the club need to be ‘realistic’ with transfers this summer amid a decrease in revenue this season, largely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Dortmund are taking a similar stance to when United tried to sign Jadon Sancho (left) last year
Chelsea believed they could sign Haaland this summer, but that was before this valuation
Chelsea believed they could tempt Dortmund into a deal this summer, the report notes, but this was before the Bundesliga club’s high asking price.
Barcelona’s new president Joan Laporta is keen to make Haaland the focal point of a new era at the Nou Camp, but the club are currently in a dire financial situation and in debt totalling over £1bn.
Real Madrid are also not in the most stable financial situation, which is why La Liga president Javier Tebas recently said it would take a ‘magic trick’ for the two Spanish giants to sign Haaland this summer.
Haaland stormed down the tunnel after Dortmund dropped points against Cologne last week
Despite Haaland’s prolific form, Dortmund are currently four points off Eintracht Frankfurt in fourth place in the Bundesliga.
The two teams face each other on April 3 in a crucial game – a furious Haaland stormed off during Dortmund’s 2-2 draw against Cologne last weekend in a sign of his growing frustration at his side’s form.
However, if Dortmund do not qualify for Europe’s flagship competition, they insist they still won’t be forced into accepting a lower offer for one of the most in-demand players in Europe.
