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Sought-after striker: Erling Haaland
Photo: Boris Streubel / Getty Images
Hans-Joachim Watzke continues to hope that star striker Erling Haaland will stay with Borussia Dortmund beyond the summer.
"It may be that Erling leaves, it may be that he stays," said the BVB managing director at the TV broadcaster Bild.
"A few days ago" he had "a very good conversation" with Haaland's agent Mino Raiola: "That was relatively friendly." But he also knows that a number of top clubs are trying to get the goal scorer, Watzke continued.
The great interest of the Spanish record champions Real Madrid is even "guaranteed," said Watzke.
“I think it would be more popular in Spain.
A different kind of football is played in England. ”But he believes that“ it will be good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga, ”said Watzke, who announced further talks.
It is possible that BVB will "then also pay EUR 2.50 more" so that Haaland stays.
"I fight for Erling at least as much for BVB as I do for the Bundesliga," said Watzke, who will also serve as chairman of the supervisory board of the German Football League (DFL) in the future.
In Europe everyone speaks to him about the 21-year-old.
Haaland is under contract in Dortmund until 2024, but could obviously draw a release clause after the end of the season.
There was even speculation about a change in winter.
But BVB has already ruled that out.
"Dirty game"
After BVB's 3-2 defeat at Hertha BSC, at which Haaland hardly appeared, the mood at the BVB boss didn't seem to be the best anyway.
It was a “dirty game,” said Watzke, and complained about the “unworthy” place in the Berlin Olympic Stadium: “That's why we didn't lose.
But it was a clay meadow, and that's how you play too. "
Watzke only narrowly recorded the mixed first half of the Bayern hunters.
The result in the Bundesliga is "okay", but the end in the Champions League is "not okay".
In fact, Dortmund was only one point behind the record champions from Munich at the beginning of December.
Two weeks later this has grown to nine.
There are still no doubts about coach Rose.
"He does it well and has complete backing, complete trust."
sak / sid / dpa