Mino Raiola has given an interview to SPORT1 to clarify the professional future of his pupil Erling Haaland. The media representative, who met with Real Madrid and Barcelona to discuss the Norwegian forward's next destination, confirmed that Borussia Dortmund's intention is not to sell their star this summer. However, he does not give up doing it and is confident that the situation may change in the coming months.
“I can confirm that I was in Dortmund to talk. Michael Zorc made it clear to us that Borussia Dortmund do not want to sell Haaland this summer. I respect that opinion, but that doesn't automatically mean that I agree too in that. Borussia were very clear in their views. We agree with that, “explained the representative at SPORT1.
It is not the first time that he has a clash of interests with Dortmund. In 2016, they had their pluses and minuses with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, whom the German club wanted to renew. Finally, Raiola's hand and the footballer's intention forced the club to give him an exit. A symptom that the relationship between both parties in the negotiation does not seem to be the best.
Of course, Raiola wanted to deny that alleged tension: “There is no war between us and Dortmund, absolutely not“. Haaland's agent was blunt and confirmed:”Relationship with Zorc, Watzke and Kehl is still good“Although his link with the quarterfinalist of the Champions is not bad, he has already confirmed that he does not have to agree with his decision not to sell the Norwegian forward.
For the moment, opinions are conflicting and only time will tell who ends up taking the jackpot. Until then, it will be common to see the Raiola and Zorcs walk through the media in defense of their interests. One of the soap operas of the summer has only just begun …
Dortmund test the waters
Although he insists on not selling the fashionable striker, the truth is that Dortmund are already working on what may happen. As Kicker reports, the club has taken an interest in Sasa Kalajdzic, a Stuttgart striker who has scored 13 goals and four assists so far this season. The newspaper estimates that the operation could be closed at around 30 million euros, an affordable figure if a high amount is finally entered by the Norwegian. Of course, Leipzig, among others, also follows closely. Of course, if Haaland leaves, a replacement is priority No. 1.
Haaland, superstar
While Dortmund is reluctant to do without its star, it increasingly gives more arguments to consider it as one of the greatest sensations in world football. In recent days, he has given Reus a worthy assist to fight the Manchester City tie, a referee has asked him for a charitable autograph and has broken the all-time speed record in the Bundesliga. Everything he touches turns to gold and his club feels the pressure of summer getting closer and closer. Before that, he must seal the qualification for the Champions League, something that is seven points away after 28 days. If you can't, Can they retain Haaland to play in the Europa League?