Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has reiterated the club's stance that Erling Haaland will not be sold this summer.
The forward is one of European football’s hottest properties having averaged around a goal a game for the past two seasons.
The 20-year-old has netted 53 goals in 56 games for Dortmund since joining the German side in January 2020 from Red Bull Salzburg, where he struck 29 times in 27 outings.
That impressive form has resulted in the forward being linked with a host of tops clubs around Europe, including Liverpool and Manchester United.
Salzburg Sporting Director Christoph Freund claimed back in November that Haaland ‘will land’ at the Reds instead of United or even Real Madrid if he leaves the Bundesliga club.
“He will land there,” he told Sky90 when asked about Liverpool as a possible destination for his former striker.
“He can play for any club in the world. With his mentality, his will and self confidence, he will be able to make a mark on European football in the next ten years.”
While the MEN is reporting that United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and football director John Murtough have settled on the Norway international as their top striker priority this summer.
Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola claimed over the weekend Dortmund's stance on the forward leaving this summer could change before the close of the window.
“What we know as of today is that Dortmund spoke extremely solemnly to us and said: 'We are not selling him'. That's the situation, definitely," he told Spanish outlet AS.
“That's what they've said. Now let's see if that desire is still there through to the 1st of September.
“Today, the official stance of Dortmund is this. But I've got another view, I think that if a good opportunity comes up and everyone would be happy, we'll put it on the table.
“Haaland is interested in two things: Scoring goals, because he’s a little bit like Cristiano [Ronaldo] or Zlatan [Ibrahimovic]… it’s his obsession, in a positive way. And winning titles.
“No doubt he’ll pick somewhere where he feels those two things go together best for him."
However, Watzke has responded to Raiola’s claims and is adamant that the forward will remain with his club into next season.
"I've known Raiola for a long time and get along well with him. It's no problem for us. Erling Haaland will remain a Borussia Dortmund player next year,” he told Sport1.
