'We cannot keep up' — Borussia Dortmund chief makes Erling Haaland to Man City admission

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke admits his side will not be able to compete with Manchester City when it comes to keeping their star striker Erling Haaland this summer.

Haaland is available this summer, and City are among the favourites to sign the Norwegian as they search for a natural striker. He is available for a £63m release clause, but will demand a significant financial package for personal terms that will rule many sides out of contention.

According to Watzke, that would include Dortmund if they hoped to persuade Haaland to stay for another season, as he bemoaned the frequent questioning over the future of his number nine. Mentioning City's interest as he offered something of an update on Haaland's future, Watzke said: "I've given up judging media rumours. Otherwise, my day would have to have 36 hours.

ALSO READ: Man City owners face a fight with a fairytale at NAC Breda

"We don't currently know anything specific from the player side, nor has anyone approached us. However, we cannot keep up financially if Manchester City comes in."

Watzke also insisted that Dortmund will be confident of replacing Haaland should he leave as they have done successfully in the past with other player sales.

He said: "We've seen it a few times: we lost Lewandowski to Bayern in 2014 and Aubameyang to Arsenal in 2018. We've always created a new star.

"If Haaland leaves, we will find another new talent and develop it into a star, and that will also do the Bundesliga good."

Sign up to our City newsletter so you never miss an update from the Etihad Stadium this season.