According to BVB Managing Director Hans-Joachim Watzke, the much-discussed statements by Erling Haaland about the alleged BVB pressure to make a decision about his future have not permanently damaged the relationship between the coveted Norwegian soccer star and his employer Borussia Dortmund.
Watzke explained this to the broadcaster on Saturday before the Westphalian championship game at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim Sky. “Of course we exchanged ideas,” said Watzke, emphasizing: “We’re good with each other.”
Haaland, who could leave BVB this summer for a transfer fee of 75 million euros before his contract expires at the end of June 2024, had recently expressed his displeasure with the club leadership’s demand to clarify his future by March. “Erling had the feeling that the media said we gave him an ultimatum, which we didn’t do,” explained Watzke. It is sometimes difficult to tell whether it is media speculation or whether it is coming from the club.
Watzke: “There is no ultimatum”
“We have clarified that clearly, there is no ultimatum to him. There is no rift between us at all,” emphasized Watzke and announced: “At some point we will talk to each other.” They have “a few basic ideas that we would like to share with Erling and his advisors. We will do that in the next few weeks, we have no time pressure,” said Watzke, adding: “We’ll see whether these ideas work or not. If he says he’s leaving, then we’ll find a good solution. It’s important that we stay creative.”
The 21-year-old Haaland is being courted by several top international clubs. “For the last six months I’ve decided not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund. But now the club has started urging me to make a decision,” he said after Dortmund’s 5-1 win against them on Friday last week SC Freiburg at the Norwegian broadcaster Viaplay Football said. He translated the statements Twitter writing in English. “But all I want is to play football,” Haaland emphasized.
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