BEVERLY HILLS, May 12, (THEWILL) – As things begin to heat up in the transfer front, Oliver Kahn, Bayern Munich legend and the Bundesliga club’s incoming CEO, has ruled out a summer transfer swoop for Erling Haaland, the prolific striker of competing club Borussia Dortmund.
The 20-year-old striker became a media sensation, netting 53 times in all competitions for Dortmund since his arrival in the transfer window of January 2020 as his hard work over the years past brought him the recognition it merited.
But, with that recognition came the attention of most of the biggest sides in Europe’s top leagues, making him one of the most sought after forwards in European football.
Bayern, who have not hesitated to poach from Dortmund in the past with honourable mentions like Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels making the switch, have categorically insisted they have no such intentions with Haaland.
In making this clear, Kahn, who will succeed current CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, later this year says the asking price of a “€100m package” is unimaginable for Bayern at the moment and that they can rely on Robert Lewandowski as they have done successfully so far.
Kahn, who is currently a director at the club, said: “Sorry, whoever spoke about that didn’t understand the situation. A package that costs – as we heard – over €100m is unimaginable for FC Bayern at the moment.”
This will come as welcoming news for Dortmund. The Bundesliga side has remained adamant in their resolve to retain Haaland through his 2024 contract. They kept this stance even when Haaland’s super-agent Mino Raiola was pictured in Spain with the striker’s father, meeting with La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as reported by THEWILL.
In the English Premier League, interest for the Norwegian has come from the big money trio of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United with some stories saying United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has applied some Norwegian pressure on getting Haaland to Old Trafford.
That notwithstanding, Kahn is confident in Lewandowski’s ability to keep Bayern competitive while being assisted with their crop of winners.
The Bayern icon said: “Robert still has a two-year contract here. His performances cannot be questioned. He’s scored 39 goals [in the Bundesliga] so far!
“Just for that, we don’t have to think about Haaland today. Robert can keep this level for a few more years.”
The inspirational Polish striker has scored a total of 46 goals across all competitions this season and is expected to add more to his tally before the season ends and in seasons to come, if he remains at the Allianz Arena.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
