Borussia Dortmund are looking to postpone the release clause of Erling Braut Haaland for at least 12 months by doubling his current salary, Sky Germany reports.
The Norwegian has been a superb performer for the Bundesliga outfit since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg last year. He has bagged 70 goals and 19 assists from just 69 appearances.
Haaland is contracted to the club until June 2024, but it has been much talked about that he could leave them next summer due to an €80 million release clause that will become active.
Manchester City are deemed favourites to land his services, but Dortmund are not willing to give up without a fight, and are prepared to convince the striker to stay for another year.
Haaland is currently on wages of around €8-9m. The club are prepared to double his salary (€16-18m) while postponing his release clause until the summer of 2023.
It is unlikely to be straightforward with City ready to make a better financial offer. Paris Saint-Germain could also be in the mix to sign him if Kylian Mbappe leaves on a free transfer.
Our view:
Haaland has been an excellent acquisition for Dortmund. They signed him for just €20m from Salzburg in January 2020 and are set to make a significant profit through a future sale.
There has been much speculation that Haaland is playing his final season at the club, but the hierarchy are eager to keep him for at least another campaign to boost their title prospects.
It is unclear whether Haaland will accept the contract proposal. Despite his goals, Dortmund have looked way off catching up with Bayern Munich, who have dominated Bundesliga.
The squad is full of talented young players with immense potential, but they have not been able to find consistency to keep up with Bayern, who have won nine league titles in a row.
City failed to find a new striker to replace Sergio Aguero this summer. They were keen on landing Harry Kane but were put off by Tottenham Hotspur’s hefty £150m (€178m) price tag.
Kane has looked out of sorts in the Premier League this term with just one goal in his bag. City now appear to be prioritising a move for Haaland, who is seven years younger.
Haaland is at an early phase of his career, but joining City could be the right step for him next summer as he would be playing for a squad vying for regular silverware under Pep Guardiola.
Paris Saint-Germain are also a lucrative option for him, but the added competitiveness of the Premier League over Ligue 1 could lure him to the Cityzens ahead of next season.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
Read: Paris Saint-Germain will look to Zinedine Zidane if Mauricio Pochettino leaves for Man Utd.
