Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke claims Dortmund cannot match any offer Manchester city submit for Erling Haaland but insists they discover and develop new talent.
Haaland has been sensational ever since he moved from Salzburg to Dortmund, scoring 80 goals in 80 matches including 23 goals in 23 appearances this season. last summer, Chelsea almost landed 21 year old Norwegian international but pulled out because of the huge financial demands.
Manchester City, Barcelona, PSG, Real Madrid, and Manchester United are battling for the signature of the young striker this summer because of the £64million release clause included in his contract when joining from RB Salzburg in 2019.
Reports from multiple sources suggest that Manchester City has offered a salary exceeding £500,000 a week for Haaland which will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
However, Dortmund CEO Watzke has denied those rumors but admits should Manchester City launch a bid for Haaland, Dortmund won’t be able to compete with the Financial powers of Man City.
‘I’ve given up judging media rumors. Otherwise, my day would have to have 36 hours,’ Watzke told Sport Bild.
`We don’t currently know anything specific from the player’s side, nor has anyone approached us. However, we cannot keep up financially if Manchester City comes in [for Haaland].’
Watzke, on the other hand, is optimistic that Borussia Dortmund Will be able to replace Haaland, just as they were when Robert Lewandowski joined Bayern Munich and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left for Arsenal and stated that “We’ve seen it a few times: we lost [Robert] Lewandowski to Bayern in 2014 and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang to Arsenal in 2018.
‘We’ve always created a new star. If Haaland leaves, we will find another new talent and develop it into a star, and that will also do the Bundesliga good.’
Karim Adeyemi of Red Bull Salzburg has been linked as the potential replacement for Haaland at the Westfalenstadion.
This season, the 20-year-old has scored 19 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Watzke again denied the rumors saying: ‘The same applies here: I will not confirm any transfer rumors.’
