Sebastian Kell, director of football at German football club Borussia Dortmund, has rejected claims by team star Erling Haaland that they are pressuring the Norwegian player, who more than one club wants to include, to make a quick decision on his future.
Haaland, who has scored 78 goals in 77 games for Dortmund since moving to him in January 2020, will be welcomed by almost every major European club, although few European clubs have the financial capacity to sign him.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are the most prominent clubs that seek to strengthen their ranks with the young striker.
But reports indicate that Barcelona may be the closest to his inclusion, as the Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" reported that Real Madrid decided not to enter into any auction with other parties to include Halland.
And it appears from this report that Real Madrid is focusing its efforts on the inclusion of French star Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
But the British newspaper "Mirror" reported today, Sunday, that Real Madrid is ready to finance a deal worth 292 million pounds (about 300 million dollars) to win the Halland and Mbappe deals together.
It can be linked between the two reports that the riyal really wants to include Halland, but he does not prefer entering into an auction to raise its price exaggeratedly.
When Haaland unleashed this volley in Norway training 🤯
Who wants to see this man in the Premier League?
🙌 pic.twitter.com/WO58p25W2N
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) January 13, 2022
Dortmund responds to Haaland
Kiel told Sport1's "Double Pass" program that there is no ultimatum and no deadline, "we are not putting him under pressure to make his decision in the coming weeks."
However, the director of football confirmed that he was somewhat surprised by Haaland's comments to Norwegian television after the 5-1 victory over Freiburg on Friday.
"The club is starting to pressure me to make a decision" about his future, which could see him leave the club next summer, said Haaland, 21.
The player's contract with Dortmund extends until 2024, but reports stated that the penalty clause in his contract allows him to leave at the end of the season for 75 million euros ($ 86 million).
Reports said the first talks between Dortmund and his agent Mino Raiola will take place later this month, and the club wants clarification by next March.
Kiel said the club's position also had to be understood, adding, "Because he is a very important player for us, there has to be an emphasis on planning from a specific point."
"How can I develop my team's plans without that, how will we replace Haaland, if we don't get an indication until some time on whether the player wants to stay or not? This is legitimate, and this is very professional."
Dortmund is second in the league table, 6 points behind Bayern Munich, and has reached the last 16 of the German Cup to defend its title. It is also among the favorites to win the European League after being eliminated from the Champions League from the group stage.
When asked about the ideal moment for his decision, Haaland replied, "Not now."
He concluded, "We are in a difficult period with so many matches. I want to focus. This is when I am at my best. Not when I have several things on my mind."