By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Hardly a day goes by without there being speculation about Erling Haaland's future. Every top European club has been rumored to be his next destination. This week's reports say that he has a deal in place with Real Madrid.
Spanish media are indicating that the Norwegian forward has signed a contract from 2021 on, activating his exit clause worth 75 million euros.
The striker's future remains a mystery. Even insiders are failing to provide reliable predictions as to what comes next. He joined German Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund for 20-million-euro just last winter.
12 goals in 11 games later, he has become Europe's latest "wunderkind," impressing with his physical presence. He might be a goal-scoring machine but at the same time he can find a higher gear to find space like no other.
"He can become a second Lewandowski," commented former Dortmund and Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
The two-time Champions League winner (1997/2001) quickly fell in love with the new arrival at his former side, much like most Black and Yellow supporters. Sporting directors of various clubs rubbed their eyes in disbelief as to his scoring record.
"I was immediately convinced," Hitzfeld said. The 71-year-old can't hide his enthusiasm when talking about the laid-back forward.
The German coach praised Haaland's ability to read a game and run into space. "He is always looking for gaps. Everyone can see his good technique, his coolness, and enormous speed," Hitzfeld emphasized.
It's not only Hitzfeld that sees Haaland on his way to the very top in football. Italian icon Christian Vieri calls him "the strongest of all strikers around."
Capped 49 times for Italy, Vieri says Haaland is most likely on his way to becoming football's biggest transfer.
200 to 300 million euros is a likely sum for the 1.94-meter Scandinavian, says Vieri. Breaking through the 223-million euro barrier would make him football's most expensive player ever. Brazilian superstar Neymar joined Paris St Germain in 2017 for 222 million euros from FC Barcelona.
Dortmund's managing director, Michael Zorc answers rumors by smiling them away.
The 57-year-old former midfielder says a possible Haaland transfer is not top of the club's to-do-list. "Our main focus at the moment is when are we allowed to return to action and can we finish the current season," he said.
Zorc has often pointed out the 2012 German Champions don't expect to be Haaland's last club, but "the current situation is keeping our minds busy, not the future of Erling. We are relaxed about the date of his next step, so is he."
Haaland's agent Mino Raiola confirmed his client won't leave after the 2019/2020 season and will at least stay another year in Dortmund.
Zorc said he is hoping for many more goals from the young spearhead.
He scored 9 goals with his left foot and 3 with the right, but none with his head. "You rarely find a complete striker who is that fast, a finisher of his quality, and ruling the air," says Zorc. Enditem
