Dortmund (AP) – In a TV interview, Erling Haaland defended his criticism of Borussia Dortmund in connection with ongoing rumors of a change, but does not want to go into it any further at the moment.
“I don’t want to go into detail. It was just time for me to say something. A lot of people have spoken about me, but everything has been said for me,” said the Bundesliga club striker in an English-language interview at the pay-TV channel Sky and on the Norwegian platform Viaplay.
The 21-year-old Norwegian, who is being courted by numerous top clubs, accused BVB almost two weeks ago of urging him to make a decision and putting pressure on him. “For the past six months, I’ve decided not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund. But now the club has started urging me to make a decision,” the star striker said in a TV interview.
Most recently, BVB managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke denied a rift between Haaland and the club management. “We have clarified that clearly, there is no ultimatum to him. There is no rift between us at all,” stressed Watzke. Haaland still has a contract with the second-placed Bundesliga player until 2024, but can leave the club in the summer for a transfer fee of around 75 million euros. There is no time pressure and will talk to Haaland and his advisors in the next few weeks, said Watzke.
Meanwhile, the currently injured Norwegian expects a quick comeback. “It looks good. I’m already training very well again,” said Haaland and predicted: “I’ll be back soon.” The Norwegian international sustained a muscle injury in the game against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The club spoke of “muscular problems.