Manchester City's goal-scoring phenom Erling Haaland has unleashed a blistering critique against his former employers, Borussia Dortmund, exposing a deep rift over their handling of the failed Jadon Sancho transfer and a contentious contract clause.
The Norwegian striker, who left Dortmund for the Premier League in 2022, did not hold back in a recent interview, revealing his fury at the German club's decision to block Sancho's emotional return to the Signal Iduna Park this summer.
The Sancho Saga: A Deal Thwarted
Haaland disclosed that he was actively involved in attempts to lure his former teammate back to the Bundesliga after Sancho's nightmare spell at Manchester United. "I was trying to get Jadon to come back to Dortmund. I was mad that they didn't let him come back," Haaland stated, his frustration palpable.
This intervention highlights the powerful bonds formed between the two players during their time together in Germany, where they formed one of Europe's most fearsome attacking partnerships.
The Betrayal of a 'Gentleman's Agreement'
The core of Haaland's rage stems from a specific clause in his own Dortmund contract. The striker claims the club inserted a provision that would have forced him to miss a crucial match against them if he were to join a rival German team like Bayern Munich.
Haaland labelled this a "boycott clause," vehemently stating, "That's not something you do. I think it's a disgrace. That's not how you treat people." He perceived this not as standard business practice, but as a profound personal betrayal and a clear sign of distrust from the club's hierarchy.
A Relationship Fractured Beyond Repair?
These explosive comments suggest a permanent fracture in the relationship between the superstar and his former club. While Haaland's departure was amicable at the time, these revelations paint a picture of underlying tensions and broken promises.
The affair raises serious questions about player-club relationships in the modern game and the complex power dynamics at play in multi-million pound transfers. Haaland's very public airing of grievances is a rare and significant moment, showing that even the most successful transfers can leave a bitter aftermath.
