Borussia Dortmund's football executive Michael Zorc has dampened rumours that Erling Haaland will join Chelsea this summer, stating that the Bundesliga giants are 'planning' for life with the forward for the upcoming season.
The 20-year-old goal machine is the most sought-after striker in the world, and he has been linked with a move to the Blues or Manchester City in the summer. However, Dortmund are not looking to sell the Norwegian wonderkid this summer.
Dortmund chief Zorc has attempted to pour cold water on any potential transfer this summer, having spoken on a number of occasions over the club's intentions to have Haaland in their forward line for the 2021/22 campaign.
"Halaand is currently keeping fit at home in Norway," Zorc told Sport1 on Saturday. "He will be back with us in Dortmund for training on Monday."
And Zorc also told Bild on Friday that in terms of Haaland’s situation: "Nothing has changed. We are still planning with Erling for the new season."
This will come as a blow for Chelsea, whose owner Roman Abramovich is responsible for the club's significant efforts to land the superstar. 90min revealed earlier in July that the Blues are prepared to offer up to £150m Haaland this summer in the belief that such a huge bid will not be turned down by the Bundesliga side.
The German giants have already lost one talisman, after Manchester United confirmed that they have reached an agreement to sign winger Jadon Sancho.
BVB will be desperate to avoid allowing two starlets to depart in the same transfer window, even if they stand a better chance of getting a financial return closer to Haaland's current value this summer.
A release clause believed to be between €75m (£64m) and €100m (£85m) was originally inserted into the Norwegian star's contract, meaning Dortmund will be forced to accept any bids which match that valuation in the summer of 2022.
Haaland's true value could be more than double those figures in 12 months' time, meaning the German club may consider selling him in the current transfer window, where they can drive up the price and spark a bidding war.
Real Madrid are another of the clubs believed to be tracking Haaland, as well as Man Utd and the aforementioned Premier League giants.
Source : 90min