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Dortmund admit they may end up being powerless in their hope of keeping Haaland

Borussia Dortmund have said they are keen to keep hold of Erling Haaland beyond this summer, but have conceded that they may end up being powerless to stop him from leaving,

The Norwegian has emerged as the hottest property in world football following a stellar spell since moving to Dortmund last January, netting 49 goals in just 50 appearances for the Bundesliga club.

With such a prolific striker on their hands, Dortmund are understandably keen to keep Haaland, though the presence of a €75 million release clause that becomes active in 2022 has opened up the possibility of cashing in for a higher price this summer.

Some reports have suggested that Dortmund’s asking price will be €150 million (£128m), though that seemingly hasn’t put off his potential suitors, with agent Mino Raiola having travelled to Spain to discuss his client’s future with the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, with a trip to England also said to be planned.

Aside from the Spanish giants, Liverpool, Chelsea, and both Manchester clubs are believed to be interested – although Pep Guardiola has claimed his side can’t afford to sign the striker.

According to Goal, Dortmund’s head of first-team football, Sebastian Kehl, has admitted that the club are still hoping to keep Haaland at the club following talks with Raiola and Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge.

“Our position is clear: we are planning with Erling,” Kehl said. “We are very relaxed about that.

“Of course, we have been following the situation. But we had a very, very good talk with Mino and his father just recently.”

Asked if Haaland has asked to leave the club, Kehl refused to comment but did admit that the club will eventually become powerless in their attempts to keep him: “I don’t want to go into those talks now. From a certain point on, we may no longer be able to influence what the future will bring.”

Haaland is due to travel to England this week when Dortmund take on Man City in the Champions League, the German outfit going into the game with just one win in their last five in all competitions.

Their 2-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday has left them in fifth in the Bundesliga table, seven points adrift of the top four and with an uphill battle to achieve qualification to Europe’s elite competition, a scenario which would likely only further push Haaland toward the exit door.

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