Euro giants officially step out of Erling Haaland transfer race

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have officially stepped out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund goal-getter Erling Haaland.

The Norway striker has been linked with the biggest names in European football including Bayern. However, the club have made it clear they have no interest in Haaland while they have Robert Lewandowski under contract. The Bavarian side have questioned the rumours surrounding talk for the 20-year-old striker and have said they already have the best centre forward in the world.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, CEO of Bayern, told Bild: “I don’t know where the rumours come from. I can only say one thing: we have the world leading footballer in this position. Robert Lewandowski has a contract until 2023.”

Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid are all understood to be watching Haaland’s situation closely.

Previous reports have outlined how Haaland has a €75m release clause in his contract which activates in summer 2022.

However, the sort of fee Dortmund would want this summer has remained in doubt for some time. That is, until it was claimed last Friday the Bundesliga club will seek €180million (£154million).

BVB are also facing an uphill struggle to finish in the Champions League places this season. If they end up outside the top four in the Bundesliga, then the chances of Haaland leaving are believed to be greater.

The 31-goal forward is said to be desperate to continue his upward curve in Europe’s premier competition.

While the striker has given little away on his future, he was questioned about what it would take to prise him away from Dortmund recently

“They must want me,” he told VG when asked about the possibility of changing clubs.

Haaland warned against move

Haaland has been warned against a move away from Borussia Dortmund this summer because he is “not the finished product”.

That is the verdict of former Germany star Matthias Sammer, who is now technical adviser to the Bundesliga club.

“I would recommend for Erling to also see the value of Borussia Dortmund,” Sammer told Sport Bild. “The club has given him a lot. From here, he can only go to a handful of clubs.

“When Erling makes the next step, he must be the finished product, perfect. He is very, very good.

“He must improve some details. Robert was complete when he left for Bayern [on a free transfer in 2014]. It was clear: He went straight into the starting line-up.

“But as a counter-example Ousmane Dembele maybe left for Barcelona a moment too early. Erling is far in his development, but he is not complete.”

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