Bayern Munich’s incoming CEO Oliver Kahn has ruled the club out of the race to sign Erling Haaland, in a boost to the forward’s English suitors.
Haaland has scored 37 goals in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund this season and has attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs, with Manchester United, Man City and Chelsea are all keen on bringing the Norwegian to the Premier League.
Bayern have harboured a reputation for tempting some of the Bundesliga’s biggest talents away from their rivals, with the likes of Mario Gotze, Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski having made the same switch from Dortmund in the past decade.
However, former Germany goalkeeper Kahn, who will take over from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the end of the year, says the Bavarian giants are not in the market for the 20-year-old.
“Sorry, but those who are talking about [Haaland’s transfer] still haven’t understood the situation,” Kahn told German newspaper Bild.
“A transfer estimated at more than €100m is absolutely unthinkable for Bayern at the moment.”
Kahn said the form of Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 39 league goals this season, means Bayern do not have to make a move for Haaland anyway.
The 32-year-old Polish striker is within touching distance of Gerd Mueller’s all-time record of 40 league goals in a season, set in the 1971/72 campaign. Bayern have two league games left to play.
“Robert still has a two-year contract here. His performances cannot be questioned,” Kahn added.
“He can keep his level for a few more years. That’s enough reason not to think of Haaland.”
