Real Madrid ´very interested´ in Haaland but Dortmund chief Watzke wants striker to stay

Real Madrid are “very interested” in Erling Haaland but Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke wants the in-demand striker to stay in the Bundesliga.

Haaland joined Dortmund from Salzburg after the Bundesliga side met his €20million release clause in December 2019 and has dominated the German top flight from there on in.

The Norway international became the quickest to 50 goals in the Bundesliga and the youngest to do so at just 21, while Robert Lewandowski (58) is the only player to score more goals than Haaland (43) across all competitions in Europe’s top-five leagues in 2021.

Haaland is reported to have a €75million buy-out clause that will come into force at the end of the season, with his name already being touted among Europe’s elite by his agent Mino Raiola.

Madrid, who missed out on Kylian Mbappe in the last transfer window, are said to be one of the leading candidates for Haaland’s signature.

However, Dortmund chief Watzke believes the 21-year-old will be best served to stay put.

“No matter where I go, everyone speaks to you about Erling Haaland,” Watzke told German outlet BILD.

“All I know is a guarantee that Real Madrid are very interested in him. 

“I could name 25 others now. But I know for sure, it can be that he leaves, but it can also be that he stays. A few days ago I had a very good conversation with Mino Raiola, when we are in a target corridor, the conversations are always quite friendly and that phone call was quite friendly. 

“We will certainly have another meeting in the next few weeks. The focus is on the overall development of Haaland. 

“Just like with Lewandowski, I would like to be proud of Erling at some point if he wins the Champions League. Personally, I think it’s good for him if he stays in the Bundesliga a little longer.”

Haaland has scored 30 Bundesliga goals this calendar year – a new club record for a Dortmund player in a calendar year, surpassing Lothar Emmerich (29 goals in 1966) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (29 goals in 2015).

Indeed, Haaland has 13 goals in 11 Bundesliga appearances this term, while that tally increases to 19 across all competitions.

Marco Rose’s side sit nine points off leaders Bayern Munich heading into the German top flight’s mid-season break after a disappointing 3-2 loss at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.