A prolific summer window with unbelievable transfers is coming to a close with a piece of jaw-dropping news shrouding world football. Borussia Dortmund’s striker Erling Haaland could see his release clause become active from the 1st of September rather than January 2022.
Haaland has racked up 42 goals and 11 assists in the Bundesliga for BVB, but the Germans could lose their forward talent with bids already pooling in from across Europe.
Earlier reports had claimed that Haaland’s clause could be activated from January 2022 and his fairytale journey with Dortmund could soon end. But the latest claims have suggested that the day could arrive six months earlier than expected, with Haaland’s 68 million pounds clause to be activated as soon as curtains are drawn on the summer window.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Erling Haaland, a goal-scoring machine for Dortmund could soon be leaving Signal Iduna Park for a bigger and better European giant. Marca has reported that the Norwegians release clause could be activated as soon as the current transfer window comes to a close.
WE’RE BACK! ⚫️🟡@Bundesliga_DE @Bundesliga_EN pic.twitter.com/VJJDd1k7H4
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) August 14, 2021
This means that Haaland could initiate conversations with other clubs from the 1st of September. Although the switch was inevitable, BVB’s administration took a major hit with the news spreading like a forest fire.
Heads up boys. There's still a lot more work to do! 💪🏻⚫🟡 @BVB pic.twitter.com/6WiMxzS5oC
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) August 18, 2021
Haaland has lured interest from all around the globe with Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea openly showing interest in the forward. And why not, a player of Haaland’s capability is rare to find in a transfer market. With the covid pandemic taking a toll on the club’s finances, it’s obvious that only a handful of clubs will be able to match Haaland’s price tag in January.
Erling Haaland's release clause could potentially be moved forward from the summerhttps://t.co/EdAYUvbloj
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) August 22, 2021
The initial reports had indicated that Haaland’s clause of 68 million pounds could be activated from January 2022 but the current news from Germany have pointed out that the date could be a lot sooner. The summer transfer window ends on the 31st of August, and from the very next day, the Norwegian can commence talks with other titans of world football.
It’s said that when Haaland arrived at Dortmund he promised to serve for the Germans for at least a couple of years, and then the club would let him choose his next destination in the form of a release clause.
DORTMUND’S BUSINESS TACTICS
The world is aware of Dortmund’s business tactics. The German outfit is one of the best in the business when it comes to trading players. They purchase quality players from smaller clubs, sharpen them into Europe’s hottest prospects, and then transfer them to bigger clubs for hefty cheques.
The examples are there for us to visit, Dembele’s switch to Barcelona for a whopping amount of 130 million euros plus add ons, Aubameyang’s transfer to the Gunners for 56 million pounds, and the latest addition to the list Jadon Sancho’s jaw-dropping arrival at the Theatre for almost 72 million.
This is his home.
This is where he belongs.Jadon Sancho is 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗.#MUFC x @Sanchooo10 pic.twitter.com/LAIBn7ie7V
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 23, 2021
BVB’s transfer-window tactics have earned praise from the world and Haaland could soon be joining the list of elite departures from the German club. In just 2 games this season he has 2 goals and 3 assists to his name and the tally is not coming down anytime soon.
The winner of the Bundesliga Player of the Season, Haaland has led Dortmund to new heights but has failed to win major accolades with the club. Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance has eluded Haaland from a Bundesliga title. While in Europe, a dominant Manchester outfit thrashed them out of the Champions League.
An honour to be awarded with the @Bundesliga_DE Player of the Season! An achievement not just for me but for the whole @BVB family. ⚫🟡 We won this award together! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/GqhPxXFvKW
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) May 25, 2021
A problem identical to Harry Kane’s headache, BVB’s trophyless campaigns might leave Haaland with no choice other than to leave the club. And with the release clause being set at just 68 million pounds, the Norwegian could depart from Bundesliga hunting for a better challenge.
THE TEAMS CHASING HAALAND
Borussia Dortmund captured the signature of Dutch striker Donyell Malen this summer. And although reports suggested that Malen is a replacement of the departing Jadon Sancho, the current situation has hinted that he could have been the Norwegian’s secondary.
A proper number.9, Malen belonged to Haaland’s bracket rather than Sancho’s. And the glittering signing could well be Dortmund’s preparation for Haaland’s departure.
𝐃𝐎𝐍e Deal: Malen Announced ✅ pic.twitter.com/TXRRpN4JiZ
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) July 27, 2021
Now there is no doubt that as soon as Haaland would enter the transfer market, buyers would jump in to purchase the forward. With 27 goals and 6 assists last summer, the striker is seen as the heir to Lionel Messi’s and Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-term legacy.
Erling Haaland to @SkySportDE about Chelsea bid rumours: “Before yesterday I haven't talked to my agent in a month… you’ve to tell me. But I hope they are just rumors, as €175 million would be a lot of money for one person”. 🔵 #CFC #BVB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 27, 2021
Chelsea was the first team to join the battle for the Norwegian’s signature. Roman Abramovich has never held back on spending a few bucks for a player and the Blues went with a 160 million pounds bid for Haaland. Although Dortmund dealt with the offers, they might not be able to avoid them for too long.
🚨 BREAKING: Real Madrid have reportedly got an agreement in place with Dortmund and Erling Haaland for the player to join Madrid in 2022. (Source: @sirolopez) pic.twitter.com/FIZnne03ti
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) August 19, 2021
Los Blancos have also shown interest in signing world football’s two deadly strikers Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland. Perez has been saving up money from the last two windows in order to sign the galacticos in 2022.
Mbappe has been deemed unavailable by PSG and the money saved for the French striker could be utilised for Haaland’s purchase. And Mbappe can be billed when his contract expires next summer if the World Cup winner doesn’t agree to an extension with PSG.
Erling Haaland could also reunite with his former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian coach has already acquired Jadon Sancho and Haaland could be roped in next summer when the Norwegian’s release clause becomes active.