Two ‘atomic bombs’ in the recently closed transfer window were Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. It’s hard to imagine anybody topping that in the near future, but the closest we can come to that is June 2022, when Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are expected to change clubs (unless something happens in January). The two future superstars will take over from Messi and Ronaldo at some point, but not with their current clubs. And while it’s widely expected that Mbappe will join Real Madrid in June, where (and when) will Haaland end up is anybody’s guess. And if you listen to Dortmund’s CEO, he might even stay in Borussia.(1.40) DORTMUND (5.30) SPORTING (8.00)Hans-Joachim Watzke recently spoke to ‘Sport 1’ and the inevitable question was, off course, Haaland and his possible transfer in June 2022. There were some suggestions that Borussia will feel compelled to sell Haaland, because they are listed on the stock exchange and will need to pay investors, which Watzke immediately denied.“That some experts then say, ‘They’re listed on the stock exchange, they have to sell them in the summer!’ – that’s all bullshit. This decision as to whether someone has to be sold is only made by our management. It has not yet been decided whether he will really leave in the summer. We’ll just have a look. At some point he will play for one of the best clubs in the world anyway, even though he is already playing for one of the best clubs in the world. If Erling should ever leave – our people can rely on one thing: we will get one again” said Watzke rather bullishly.The Alien: Haaland has more goals than games for Dortmund!The Borussia CEO has already proven as a man of his word. First he said in 2020 that the club will not sell Jadon Sancho and then he said in 2021 that the club will not sell Erling Haaland. And he was right both times. So, what is he saying now about the Norwegian? Well, Watzke knows that in June, he probably won’t be able to hold the young striker and his ambitious manager Mino Raiola, so he decided to put the ball in their court.“When we signed Haaland, no newspaper wrote that we signed the best in the world. He has developed incredibly in the two years with us. The player he came to us as from Salzburg has made an incredible step in development. In addition, Haaland earns “above the poverty line” at BVB. He’s still so young and has his whole career ahead of him. He is an independent personality. The key is only with Erling. I have neither confidence nor pessimism. I get along well with Mino Raiola, we both know what makes the other tick. It is not right to believe that Raiola is all about the money. He also has in mind what is best for Erling” said Watzke.
