BERLIN, 16 Apr. (dpa/EP) –
The head of the Borussia Dortmund licensing area, Sebastian Kehl, denied on Saturday reports that Norwegian striker Erling Haaland would leave the Bundesliga club for Manchester City.
Kehl told Sky television ahead of Saturday’s game against Wolfsburg that no interested parties have come forward. According to various media outlets, Manchester City were planning to sign the 21-year-old striker for next season. “There is a buyout clause, you know, and there is a deadline,” Kehl said, without elaborating.
Haaland’s contract, which runs until 2024, has a release clause that would see him leave after the current season for €75m.
“We want to make a decision as soon as possible,” added Kehl, explaining that coach Marco Rose’s comments about Haaland’s injury treatment were “a bit unfortunate”.
Rose had commented that Haaland could “possibly take a pill before the game” against Wolfsburg “and then it should work”. Kehl stressed that the club is treating the Norwegian striker “with a lot, a lot of responsibility.” “Erling always wants to play and you always try to find a good decision with him,” said the Dortmund manager.