Borussia Dortmund to discuss Haaland's future this week

Erling Haaland’s situation within the transfer market has changed during the past few days, coinciding with the approaching transfer window and Borussia Dortmund’s elimnation from the Champions League, which must have been a huge blow to morale for the Norwegian striker. The player gave a hint about what the future could hold when he took the time to applaud every section of Signal Iduna Park, after the final home game of 2021 against Greuther Fürth the other night. It prompted a host of rumours about Haaland leaving the club in the January window which Director of Sport Michael Zork was forced to deny.

Haaland meeting planned

For Dortmund, the situation with Haaland has become very uncomfortable. The meeting between Hans-Joaquim Watzke and Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola just a few days ago hasn't cleared up the player’s position. Now, AS understands from sources who are involved in the matter, Dortmund plan to hold a meeting with the player to clear things up. As far as the club is concerned, Haaland must decide what he wants to do now - if he wants to continue for another year at the club or leave. And if he feels that now is the time to move on, he must elect a new destination.

Dortmund’s position is quite clear. They would like Haaland to stay on for another year even though there is a verbal agreement with Mino Raiola to facilitate the player’s exit next summer. To keep him, the club is prepared to raise his wages to 14 million euros after tax. If they manage to convince Haaland to stay put, a clause in his contract would be activated allowing him to move on in 2023 for a fixed fee. For Haaland to remain in the Bundesliga for another year would also suit Real Madrid. They would rather sign Haaland in 2023. Partly because they feel that Karim Benzema probably has one, maybe two seasons left playing at the top level. We’re talking about a player who scored 45 goals during the last natural year and who has battled with Messi to win the Ballon d’Or. On the other hand, it would give Madrid time to find a slot within their salary structure (Mbappé will be joining this summer).

However Real Madrid have made it clear to Dortmund that if they plan to sell Haaland this summer, they would be interested in signing him. In that sense, Real Madrid couldn’t really be in a better position. The two clubs share an excellent relationship and Dortund would give Madrid priority over any other similar offer that comes in. Convincing Mino Raiola is another consideration and that is where José Ángel Sánchez will play a key role.

Mino Raiola, key to the operation

The superagent will have a lot to say about where Haaland ends up. The Italian relationship with the clients he represents is almost paternal and Haaland is no exception. It’s obvious that his idea to take Haaland to Borussia Dortmund in December 2019 was the right move. There he has been able to develop without pressure and gain plenty of playing time. It allowed the Norwegian to fulfill his potential - during his time at the club he has scored 76 goals in 75 games - including 23 in 19 Champions League games...

As Diario AS revealed, Haaland will place priority on what kind of sporting project any suitor can offer over economic enticements. That makes Madrid more attractive than say, PSG, who are keen to sign Haaland for any price when they lose Mbappé. But Ligue 1 does not have the same appeal as LaLiga or the Premier League. City and United will be Madrid's closest competition in the race to sign Haaland if he leaves Dortmund next summer. At AS, we understand that there is no buy-out clause (there has been talk of a 75 million euro clause) which would get Haaland out of his contract. There is only a verbal agreement which would allow the player negotiate his exit for a reasonable price. Raiola took Haaland to Dortmund with favourable conditions - he cost just 20 million euros plus a further 22 million in commissions (14 for Raiola and eight for the player’s father).

"Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are the four big clubs which he could end up joining," Raiola told Sport 1 recently. Not long after, he underlined his message in an interview with AS: "I was using those clubs as an example to say that when he does move on, it will be to one of the top clubs. We don't have a pre-agreement with any club. We'll look for the best option for him and I can't rule out another year at Dortmund. Theoretically, that's still possible,” he explained.