What is Erling Haaland’s release clause, and when can it be activated?

ERLING HALAAND has cemented his place as one of the world’s best strikers since bursting onto the scene three years ago.

The Dortmund forward, 21, is enjoying another prolific season in the Bundesliga and continues to attract attention from Premier League clubs.

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Born in Leeds, Haaland has always expressed an interest to play in England and a host of top-flight clubs look set to launch a bid this summer.

What is Erling Haaland’s release clause?

It’s been a meteoric rise to the top for the Norwegian striker, who is son of Leeds fan favourite Alf-Inge Haaland.

Haaland joined the academy at his local club Bryne FK aged just five and broke records throughout their youth team, before moving to Molde under the then tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.

A strong and powerful forward, Haaland’s goal-scoring at Molde earned him a move to RB Salzburg before Dortmund came calling in 2020.

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Since moving to Germany, Haaland has scored a remarkable 78 goals in 77 games.

Being this prolific has seen him attract attention from the world’s biggest clubs – but the forward will definitely not come cheap.

Dortmund shelled out just £18m to bring him to the Bundesliga, with the then 18-year-old signing a four-year contract.

His current deal runs for another two years until 2024, but a reported £65m release clause was inserted into the contract that allows him to open talks with other clubs who meet the valuation in summer 2022.

Clubs will therefore be able to bid just £66million for Haaland in July.

That is far below his expected market value, which according to Transfermarkt is closer to £135million.

Haaland has been pressed on his future in recent weeks with Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Real Madrid and PSG all linked with his services.

He told Norwegian TV: “The last six months I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Borussia Dortmund, but now the club has started pressing me into making a decision.

“All I want to do is to play football, but they [Dortmund] press me to make a decision now about my future.

“So that means I have to make a decision soon.”