Transfer Centre

Erling Braut Haaland future 'to be decided next week, Manchester City leading race'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 08 May 2022

Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl reveals that Erling Braut Haaland's future could be decided next week, with Manchester City leading the race for his signature.

Borussia Dortmund director Sebastian Kehl has revealed that Erling Braut Haaland's future could be decided within the next week.

The 21-year-old striker has been linked with just about every top European club over the past 12 months due to a release clause in his contract which will become active this summer.

Haaland will be available for €75m (£64.1m), although his wage demands are understood to have priced a host of clubs out of a possible deal.

Real Madrid were long regarded as front-runners for the Norway international's signature, but more recent reports suggest that Manchester City are now leading the race.

Pep Guardiola's side have played much of the current campaign without a recognised centre-forward following Sergio Aguero's exit and a failed pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane last summer.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on April 26, 2022 © Reuters

City had been linked with another move for Kane this summer, but they are now understood to have turned their attentions to Haaland, whose father Alf-Inge Haaland also played for the club.

Haaland has established himself as one of the most coveted young players on the planet due to his prolific scoring form, first with Red Bull Salzburg and then with Borussia Dortmund.

The Leeds-born striker netted 29 goals in just 27 games for Salzburg to earn his move to Dortmund in January 2020, since when he has found the back of the net 85 times in 88 games across all competitions, in addition to providing 23 assists.

Haaland has suffered an injury-disrupted 2021-22 campaign, but he has still managed to score 28 goals and provide eight assists in just 29 outings for Dortmund this season.

BVB director Kehl confirmed to Sport1 that he is expecting "clarity" on Haaland's future "in the next week", and that he does now expect the forward to leave this summer.

Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland during the warm up before the match, January 18, 2022 © Reuters

Dortmund had been hopeful of keeping hold of Haaland for at least one more season, while agreeing a new contract with a significantly higher release clause.

However, confirmation of his exit now appears to be close, with Man City currently expected to snap the prolific striker up, having been in talks with his representatives for a number of weeks.

Guardiola's men are the favourites to retain the Premier League title this season following Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday - a result which gives Man City the chance to move three points clear when they face Newcastle United on Sunday.

However, the Citizens suffered more Champions League heartbreak with a remarkable semi-final collapse against Real Madrid which saw them concede two late goals in the second leg before losing the tie in extra time.

Should a deal go through then Haaland's final game in a Dortmund shirt is likely to come next Saturday, when his side host Hertha Berlin on the final day of the Bundesliga season.