Erling Haaland is ready to ‘make the next step’ and leave Borussia Dortmund, according to Germany legend Lothar Matthaus… amid Premier League interest from the two Manchester giants
- Erling Haaland has been constantly linked with a Borussia Dortmund exit
- Manchester City and Manchester United are keen on signing the Norwegian
- Lothar Matthaus says the 20-year-old is now ready to leave the Bundesliga
- Haaland has a £65million clause from 2022 but Dortmund could cash in early
Erling Haaland is ready to leave Borussia Dortmund, according to Germany legend Lothar Matthaus – amid interest from Manchester City and Manchester United.
The Norwegian striker has continued his fine goal-scoring form this season following his breakout campaign last term, scoring 17 goals in 14 matches so far.
Sportsmail revealed last week that both Manchester clubs are eyeing up the opportunity to bring in Haaland over the coming months and World Cup winner Matthaus says the time for the 20-year-old to move on is upon him.
Erling Haaland (above) has been on fire for Borussia Dortmund with 17 goals in just 14 matches
Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes the 20-year-old is ready to leave the Bundesliga
Matthaus told the Bundesliga website: ‘This positivity that he radiates, radiates on the team which is why I think that someday, Haaland will not be playing at Dortmund anymore and will make the next step.
‘He is already ready and we are proud to have him in the Bundesliga.
‘Dortmund need to be pleased to have gotten him because he is a striker that fits to a club with such emotions.’
Haaland is currently out with a muscle fibre injury and the striker is a big miss for Dortmund with a dip in form leading to the sacking of manager Lucien Favre.
The young forward has ten goals in just eight German top-flight games while he also scored six goals in four Champions League group games this year.
Manchester City and Manchester United are both interested in signing Haaland this season
Haaland has a £65million release clause at Dortmund which can be activated from 2022 onwards but the Bundesliga club may be tempted to cash in on Haaland before his buyout price comes into play.
Matthaus believes a big-money fee is worth paying for any club interested in signing the Norwegian ‘machine’, who has been compared as a younger version of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
The German added: ‘At the age of 20, he is a machine. He is a flying striker.
‘He brings a positive energy in the team while also scoring goals. He is irreplaceable.
The striker is a ‘machine’, says Matthaus, who compares him to Robert Lewandowski (right)
‘Erling Haaland is regarded at Dortmund like Robert Lewandowski is at Bayern: the player up front who is not only responsible for the goals but in charge of dragging the team with him. He is a leader at the age of 20.
‘That says a lot and on top of that, he knows what he needs to do. He works defensively as well, something I really enjoy seeing Robert Lewandowski do as well.
‘He is not one to just stay forward. His mannerisms as well, for a 20-year-old, to not only think of himself but of his team.’
Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Haaland as they try and find a long-term replacement for talisman Karim Benzema.
The Spanish giants are also pursuing a deal for Paris Saint-Germain starlet Kylian Mbappe.
