Borussia Dortmund chief insists club ‘do not have to sell players’ this summer

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has dismissed the idea that the club need to sell players this summer to cope with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho are currently both being linked with big money moves away from the German side at the end of the season.

But Watzke has played down the impact of Covid on the club’s economic position.

Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “When Covid-19 struck, we had no debt. Not one euro. Because of that, it is a comfortable situation. We do not have to sell a player. That is important.

“The rich clubs in the world, they must know when they want a player from Borussia Dortmund there are two possibilities. The first is that I tell them they have no chance. Other times, I will tell them: ‘This is the price’. Then they must know this is the price. It is not another price.

“We are very clear. We are very honest.”

Dortmund host Manchester City in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tonight as they look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from their clash last week.

Phil Foden struck late on to give Pep Guardiola’s side an advantage heading to Germany, but the tie remains far from over.

Haaland is set to feature against the side his father Alf-Inge played for 20 years ago, but Sancho will not be fit as he continues his recovery from injury.

Meanwhile, Watzke admits he is getting sick of constant speculation over the future of their star pair.

“I do get tired of it,” he added. “Last summer, everybody in England, everybody in Europe, every journalist told the public: ‘Jadon Sancho will play for Manchester United or wherever.’

“But he is still playing for Borussia Dortmund. Now everybody writes: ‘Erling Haaland will next season play for Real Madrid or for Barcelona, or for this or this.’

“The only way is to look after 1 September at where he is playing. I think I know where he will be playing, but that is all I have to say.”