He’s already in England!’ – Borussia Dortmund chief gives cheeky update on Chelsea target Erling Haaland
Chelsea target Erling Haaland was absent from Borussia Dortmund’s first day of pre-season training on Monday, though sporting director Michael Zorc has laughed off speculation the striker is leaving.
The Norwegian forward, who enjoyed another prolific campaign last season, is believed to be Chelsea’s number one transfer target this summer as Thomas Tuchel looks to bring in a new number nine.
Any deal would require Chelsea to shatter the Premier League transfer record, with Dortmund adamant he will not be sold even though a release clause becomes active in a year’s time allowing him to leave for just £64million.
Haaland threatened to ignite speculation that he could be ready to force through a move to west London when he was a no-show for pre-season training, but Zorc played down his absence and even joked about the transfer rumours.
Leeds-born Haaland is believed to be keen on testing himself in England and would welcome a move to Chelsea, though Dortmund are under absolutely no pressure to sell.
The German giants have already pocketed £72.9m this summer from Jadon Sancho’s move to Manchester United and it would therefore take an astronomical offer – at least two times his future release clause – to convince Dortmund to sell Haaland.
Speaking about his future, he said in May: ‘I have a contract for a couple of years, so I am respectful towards my contract.
‘I am a simple guy. When I like something I just want to have more – when I score a goal, I always chase the next goal.’
Haaland has been nothing short of sensational since joining Dortmund in December 2020, scoring 40 goals in just 43 Bundesliga appearances while he showed his pedigree in the Champions League too, bagging 10 goals in eight European outings last season
Erling Haaland was not present at Borussia Dortmund fitness camp today. ?⚫️ #BVB
BVB sport director Michael Zorc joking about it: “Erling is already in England…”, he told SkyDe laughing. #CFC
Borussia are still on the same position: they want to keep Haaland this summer.
Chelsea ‘agree’ personal terms with Haaland
Last month, it was reported the west London outfit had agreed personal terms with the striker. That is according to journalist Ian McGarry on the Transfer Window Podcast.
Whilst that is a major step forward in their attempts to sign the frontman this summer, a fee needs to be agreed between both clubs which is easier said than done
Haaland drops major transfer hint
In other positive news, the 20-year-old admitted that he doesn’t want to get too comfortable in his career.
In an interview with Icon magazine, cited by The Telegraph, he said: “I have been taking a couple of steps over the past few years and I think they have been good steps for me, personally, to get out of my comfort zone and to develop even more.
“I want to challenge myself in everything that I do. It’s something I think about. It’s also for everyone to always do this. People can sometimes be too comfortable staying in their ‘zone’ so I think it’s important to get out of that.”
Haaland went on to confess his biggest dream in football, which is to win Europe’s top club competition, something Chelsea know about all too well having only recently lifted their second Champions League against Manchester City.
“That’s my big dream,” he said. “To win the Champions League one day. Hopefully I can lift that trophy and that really would be, well, amazing.