Borussia Dortmund did not hand Erling Haaland an ultimatum over his transfer future, according to CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
The claims have been dismissed as “bulls***” by the 62-year-old, amid intense speculation over the Norwegian’s future.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are all reportedly chasing Haaland, who will become available for £63million this summer via his release clause - unless Dortmund can convince him to sign a new contract.
The situation led to the player talking of the “pressure” he had been put under by his club but Watzke has hit back at suggestions of a deadline for him to make a decision.
“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 - is total bulls***,” he told German broadcaster ARD.
“It's sometimes difficult for a player who now speaks German well but doesn't understand everything yet to fully grasp it.
“Did an official say that or is it pure speculation by the media? We have now reached a point where 98 per cent of the media is based on speculation, and it ended up being that. There is no problem at all between us.”
Despite rumours of a bumper pay packet being offered to Haaland by Borussia, the club insisted last weekend that negotiations have not even begun over his next move.
“Erling Haaland's comments surprised us a bit,” sporting director Michael Zorc told Kicker.
“Currently there is no deadline and there have not even been any talks yet. But it is clear, understandable and only professional that we want and have to hold talks at some point.”
