Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has launched an X-rated rant towards media outlets who claimed that Erling Haaland had been given a transfer ultimatum by the club.
Last week the Norwegian striker claimed that Dortmund were pushing him into making a decision on his future amid speculation that he may be on the move this summer.
Barcelona last month held a meeting with the player’s agent Mino Raiola while Dortmund recently confirmed that Real Madrid are among those who are interested in signing the Norwegian.
Barca president Joan Laporta’s reported confidence on signing the striker has sparked off what has been described as a ‘war’ between the club and El Clasico rivals Madrid.
The Norwegian fuelled speculation of a transfer to La Liga earlier this week as he confirmed that he would like to play in Spain during his career.
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Watzke has poured cold water on suggestions that Haaland has been given an ultimatum over his future by the club and insisted there were no issues with the striker’s comments.
The Dortmund CEO said, as per SPORT1 : "Basically, that wasn't a problem.
"Erling was obviously a bit bothered by that, but we can't influence that. We told him that too.
"The fact that one or the other media outlet writes that Dortmund would give him an ultimatum - it said somewhere up until February last week - which is total bulls***.
"It's sometimes difficult for a player who now speaks German well but doesn't understand everything yet to understand it, did an official say that or is it pure speculation by the media.
"We have now reached a point where 98 percent of the media is based on speculation, and it ended up being that. There is no problem at all between us.”
Sebastian Kehl, another member of Dortmund’s sports planning department, also backed up Watzke’s comments to play down any reports of a fall out.
The former Germany international added: "You mustn't forget that the boy is 21 years old and the media are raising the issue every day.
"But basically it's clear that at some point the player's throat will be full and he'll say that it pisses him off and that he doesn't want to hear the topic all the time and just wants to play football."
Meanwhile, former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger believes that Dortmund will have no problems replacing Haaland but believes the club may have to stop selling stars if they are to compete with Bayern.
He commented: "Even if Haaland leaves Dortmund in the summer, they have shown again and again in recent years that they can get great players.
"The question for me is: when will it be the case that, if you make transfers, you no longer have to make these sales in order to get to Bayern Munich or to progress in the Champions League? I hope for the whole of football Germany that will come for them.”
Watzke responded to those comments by reiterating that the club were always prepared for departures to source replacements but added their financial situation was less simplistic.
"We simply have the problem that, despite everything, we have to work seriously," he added.
"We can't afford the salary that maybe Bayern or Real Madrid can afford. Bastian knows that too.
"If Erling should really go - and that can happen - we will find a solution again."
There is little question over the 22-year-old’s world class status, as he has netted 78 goals in just 77 appearances for Dortmund since his switch from Red Bull Salzburg two years ago.
Haaland has continued to break multiple goal scoring records, netting 27 goals in 25 matches across his games in European competitions.
In the 2020–21 campaign, Haaland was integral in Dortmund's DFB-Pokal win, won the Bundesliga Player of the Season award and finished as the top scorer of the Champions League.
Speculation over the striker’s future is only likely to intensify in the weeks and months ahead as we edge towards the summer transfer window.
