- Haaland has been sidelined due to injury issues, missing a total of ten games with the extent of his ankle condition unknown
- it’s reported that Haaland will earn more than £500,000-per-week to work under Pep Guardiola
- According to the Borussia Dortmund head coach, Haaland refused to have an MRI scan
- Haaland has scored a total of 82 goals in 85 games for Borussia Dortmund
Although Erling Haaland appears to be the ideal striker for Guardiola’s striker-less team, the 21-year-old has been hampered by muscular issues this season.
Haaland requested Norway coach Stale Solbakken to spare him from media duties during the recent international break.
Haaland suffered an injury in a match against Hoffenheim. Photo: MARCA
“He explained to me why. He explained nicely and factually and convincingly that he needs it”. Solbakken told reporters. “I see no reason not to respect that.
Manchester City will be pleased to have got one of the most enticing young talents in international football, a potential generational star, after missing out on other high-profile transfer targets in the past.
Indeed, the thought of Pep Guardiola adding a prolific centre-forward to a team filled with creative attacking abilities is currently impossible for the club’s fans not to become excited about.
Dortmund will also be relieved to see the media circus that has followed Haaland since his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg just over two years ago fade away.
Of course, they would have preferred to keep Haaland and build a team around him for the next ten years, but that would never happen.
Dortmund had no problem agreeing to let him leave for €75 million (£63 million/$83 million) in 2022.
All they asked was for his pending transfer to be completed as quickly as possible and with the least amount of worry possible, so they set a deadline for the whole thing to be completed.
“We want a decision as soon as possible,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl told Sky Sports Germany.
Haaland sustained another injury in a clash between Norway and Armenia. Photo: Eurosport
“We are in talks, but there is nothing more to say about it for now. I don’t want to open some new talking points about Erling. We have a perfect, trusting relationship.
“But the sooner there is a decision, the better it will be. And I hope it will be timely.”
Haaland will, too, because doubts over his fitness would lead to doubts over his market value.
Obviously, €75 million isn’t a lot of money in today’s economy for a 21-year-old who has set one Champions League record after another since breaking onto the scene at Salzburg and has a phenomenal 82 goals in 85 games at Dortmund.
In reality, the transfer cost appears to be a good deal on an excellent talent.
However, When Haaland’s wage demands (€50 million gross per year) and agent fees (possibly as high as €70 million) are factored in, the actual cost of any agreement for him would be much greater.
As GOAL reported earlier this week, Real Madrid is no longer sure that signing Haaland is a good idea.
“Real Madrid aren’t willing to agree to the conditions from Erling Haaland’s agents, as they don’t want to anger any current players who would earn less than Haaland.”
Firstly, they do not want to run the risk of the salary of one young player destabilizing a dressing room full of proven performers.
For starters, they don’t want to risk a dressing room full of seasoned performers being thrown off by the salary of one new player.
Second, the amount of minor injuries Haaland has sustained this season has Madrid concerned.
Remember, this club has been badly burned in recent years by superstar signings troubled by fitness issues, such as Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard.
Marco Rose Dortmund head coach stated that Haaland refused to go for a MRI scan. Photo: Eurosport
Despite his fondness for making grand statements in the transfer market, Florentino Perez does not want to spend too much money on a player who may spend more time in the treatment room than on the field.
At this stage, it must be stressed that there is nothing to suggest that Haaland is set to be hindered by injuries for the remainder of a spectacular goal-filled career.
Dortmund insists that each injury must be assessed on its basis, case by case.
Haaland has been sidelined due to injury issues, missing ten games.
“Erling can’t be pain-free yet,” he told reporters. “I was sent a photo [of the ankle injury sustained against Armenia]: the foot was at a 90-degree angle to the leg. That means that something must have got broken there.
“Erling tried very professionally to deal with the swelling and got it fixed by the next game.
“But he might take a little tablet before the match. Then, it should be okay.”
Haaland’s ankle condition is unknown, and Rose’s view on the situation further added to the mystery, with the coach reportedly claiming that Haaland had refused to have an MRI scan.
Rose’s statement has raised speculation as to why Haaland would be hesitant to get a scan, with German publication WAZ reporting that it could be due to a concern of jeopardizing his summer transfer.
That seems unlikely, given that his move to Manchester is expected to be completed before the end month.
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