Does Erling Haaland have a release clause? How much?

The German media, and others, have long assumed that there is a termination clause built into Erling Haaland's contract. That belief was that one of the hottest properties on the planet, who has continued his incredible scoring statistics with Borussia Dortmund, would be available for between 75 and 90 million euros as of the summer of 2022. A bargain by any measure.

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Haaland and a gentleman's agreement

But more doubts have been thrown over these reports, as Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of the Bundesliga club, has come out and said that the clause discussions are merely rumours.

"I cannot confirm any release clause," the boss responded to a member's question during the shareholders' meeting on Thursday.

German media outlet Sport1 has reported that the only thing that is likely to exist is a verbal agreement between club and player to allow him to leave for his desired next opportunity in exchange for an offer that they consider satisfactory in the offices of Signal Iduna Park. That is not seen to be under €100 million.

"More than 90 percent of our player contracts do not contain a release clause," Watzke added. It is well known that he is aiming to do everything possible to keep Haaland beyond 2022, including bumping up his salary to around 18 million euros a year, making him the highest paid player in the squad.

Much will depend, however, on what the striker himself wants, especially after a second half of the season in which Dortmund will no longer be playing in the Champions League.