'It's easy to want Haaland now, but Dortmund did well to get him first'

Christian Seifert, the Bundesliga CEO, believes that Borussia Dortmund did excellently to sign Erling Braut Haaland before he was snapped up by any of Europe's bigger clubs.

Now wanted by Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, the Norwegian keeps impressing in what has been a phenomenal breakout season for him.

Seifert chatted with MARCA in his first interview with foreign media since the Bundesliga's return to talk about Haaland and how German football returned to action before anyone else.

- You have become pioneers with your return to action. Are you happy?

"I don't think much about that. My only objective has been to lead the restart in the best conditions possible. We've received a lot of compliments from around the world and a lot of leagues are interested in our protocol and organisation, so that is a great honour. The sooner sport returns, the better it is for society."

- Will it be possible to start next season with fans?

"Next season won't be normal and we have to see what happens. In Germany the pandemic has been handled well. We aren't expecting to have fans in stadiums in 2020, but if it happens then all the better."

- Do you think that the Bundesliga needs to sign a superstar to grow further?

"No, it's the last thing we're thinking about. Football is a collective sport, it's not like basketball. LaLiga had the two best players in the world for a decade, which has never happened. It was a success for them, but I'm happy with our progress in Germany."

- Would Erling Braut Haaland's possible departure to Real Madrid be a big loss to the Bundesliga?

"Any great player leaving is a loss. But I'll ask you: if he's so good then why is he at Dortmund?"

- Because Dortmund were quickest and smartest when signing him.

"You said it, not me. It's easy now to admire a player who is already at the focus of worldwide attention. The hard thing is signing him before that happens. Dortmund did that, again doing an excellent job."

- Would you like to see more Spanish players in Germany?

"Of course. The Bundesliga is a mix of technique, tactics and physicality. Spaniards fit into that profile. We don't think about selling shirts, but about players who perform. I'm a big Spanish football fan. I'm 51 now and grew up with a Juanito Real Madrid shirt."