Haaland is not going anywhere, despite what Raiola says... At least not yet

The statement of the famous football agent Mino Raiola that there are ten clubs that could afford the signing of Erling Haaland, caused controversy about the future of the Norwegian in an instant.

Many understood the words of the controversial Dutch football agent as an announcement of the young striker's relocation from Dortmund, however, a reaction came from the ranks of the Millionaires' executives and the belief that the main goal scorer of the German club will remain at Westfalenstadion.

"It is clear that Erling Haaland cannot and will not choose any club after his stay in Dortmund. I could not list ten possible teams that meet the criteria," said Michael Zorc, sports director of Borussia Dortmund.

Michael Zorc (©Reuters)

Haaland, who moved to Dortmund from Salzburg in January 2020, scored 43 goals for the Millionaires in the same number of games and has been on the wish list of football giants led by Real Madrid for months, and as Raiola says Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona are also ready to play that game. Some media, such as the Daily Mail, even defined the list of 10 clubs which Raiola insinuated.

"There are no dissent. Raiola's statement is normal, he has to say something like that from time to time. We are happy that Erling is here with us and that he scored goals in the last games, thus proving the importance he has for us. I can only say that we will continue to count on him in our plans for the future, I am convinced that he does not feel uncomfortable here in Dortmund. "

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Although the Norwegian is in phenomenal form, Borussia will have to fight until the last round for a place in the Champions League this year, and the question is whether the eventual failure of the Millionaires to qualify for the elite competition would affect Haaland and be a source of dissatisfaction.

"We assume that in the end we will achieve our goal of qualifying for the Champions League. I have no doubt about that, but whatever happens, Erling will still stay with us."

Zorc's words only confirmed the assumptions that the Norwegian will almost certainly spend the next season in the same club, as well as that it would be much more realistic to part ways only in the 2021/22 season, after which a 90 million USD (10 billion KSH) buy out clause for the goalscorer will become active. Meanwhile, Borussia's bank account could be supplemented by the sale of Jadon Sancho, who is also one of the sought-after goods on the football market.

At the same time, information appeared in the German media that the competition in the Dortmund offensive line could be intensified by Alexander Isak, the Swedish striker who plays for Real Sociedad, but Zorc did not express a specific position on that topic.

"I think Isaac made the right move by going to Real Sociedad. At first he impressed as a reserve, then he became a regular starter, and he scored a lot of goals in the past weeks. Of course, we follow all that," said the sporting director of Dortmund.

Isak & Sancho (©Reuters)

At the same time, Roman Abramovich has given the green light for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel to sign Borussia Dortmund star this summer. According to BILD, Chelsea are right in the hunt and owner Abramovich has given his permission for a move worth more than 120 million USD.

With such a move, Tuchel risks the ire of sporting director Michel Zorc, manager Hans-Joachim Watzke and any Dortmund fans who still hold him in high regard. But Haaland is both one for the future and the here and now. Chelsea are desperately in need of a dependable presence up front and the Norwegian seems to tick those boxes.

Abramovich's fortune means the Stamford Bridge club can easily afford the striker when other top sides have to be wary of overspending with finances so badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Despite recruiting Timo Werner last year, the forward has been deployed largely out wide and not been as effective as hoped. Olivier Giroud is still able to offer top contributions but at 34 is entering the final chapter of his career. And Tammy Abraham is frustrated by a lack of game time, unwilling to sign a new deal while the club pursue Haaland.