Haaland and Sancho transfer plans announced by Dortmund CEO
Football
By
Mirror
| Apr 05, 2021
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke insists the German side are planning for next season with Erling Haaland.
But he insists that “exceptional” offers for England star Jadon Sancho will be listened to this summer.
Haaland’s future at the Westfalenstadion is in question with the striker’s agent, Mino Raiola, currently pursuing a summer move for his client.
Raiola believes that Haaland, 20, has outgrown the Bundesliga club after 16 months with BVB and needs to take the next step in his career.
That’s why he and the player’s father, ex-Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland, have begun meeting with officials from the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
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However, Dortmund have made clear to Raiola and his father that they aren’t planning on selling him this summer.
That’s despite suggestions that they could land more than double his €75million release clause - which kicks in only in 2022.
But Watzke isn’t convinced that Europe’s elite will be spending mega-money this summer as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hit hard on clubs’ finances.
And he has claimed that Dortmund haven't given any thought to selling their No.9.
"We do not have a parallel plan. We will discuss this with Erling, his father and his agent Mino Raiola," Watzke told DAZN . "We also want him to be happy to stay with us, to score goals for BVB next year with conviction.
"There is no alternative plan."
Sancho, who would have left for Manchester United if Dortmund’s £108million price tag had been met last August, is a different issue.
Pressed on whether Haaland and Sancho will both still be on Dortmund's books in 2021-22, Watzke detailed: "I'm not getting involved in probabilities, it's no good.
"Jadon Sancho has been with us much longer than Erling Haaland. We'll have to speak to Jadon too.
"If there is an exceptional offer we will discuss it with the player and the agent, as always.
"Nonetheless, I am very sure that the transfer market will only run to a very limited extent this summer.
"Especially at the really big clubs you can see what kind of wounds coronavirus has inflicted, and they are not small ones that heal within two weeks."
Dortmund’s struggles in the race for the top four in the Bundesliga could force their hand with regards summer sales.
Clearly their preference is to allow Sancho to take his next step - but they need the market to open up and a buyer to step forwards for the former Manchester City youngster.
If it doesn't, then they may ultimately have little option when it comes to Haaland.