Dortmund chief Watzke insists Haaland DOESN'T have a release clause for 2021

Attempts to prise Erling Haaland out of Borussia Dortmund next summer look set to be frustrated after the Bundesliga side confirmed their star striker does not have a release clause in his deal.

Haaland, who is generating interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, joined Dortmund in January having impressed at Red Bull Salzburg.

Th 20-year-old has continued to excel in black and yellow but Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed 'there is no such agreement' when asked if clubs can activate a release clause in 2021.

Dortmund are increasingly reluctant to offer immediate release clauses in contracts given the level of interest in the young players they develop.

Haaland not being available with a release clause in 2021 strengthens their negotiating position and means they can rebuff any approach for the young Norwegian.

With a growing expectation that Jadon Sancho will leave at the end of the 2020-21 season, Dortmund will have little to no interest in losing Haaland.

Difficulty arises for Dortmund in that a release clause will become active in 2022.

Manchester United and Real Madrid would be able to acquire Haaland for as little as £65million, a figure expected to be far below his market value at that stage.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a push to get Haaland in January, before he went to Dortmund, having seen him plunder 28 goals in 22 games for Red Bull Salzburg.

Eight goals in his first nine games of the season prove he has Golden Boot honours in his mind as Dortmund prepare to stave off any advances in nine months.

Solskjaer acquired Edinson Cavani as a free agent on deadline day but United are monitoring Haaland ahead of the activation of his 2022 release clause as they seek long-term solutions to their attack.

Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood appear the current front three.

Speaking to podcast Sky90, Salzburg's sporting director Cristoph Freund continued: 'He can play for any club in the world. With his mentality, his will and self confidence, he will be able to make a mark on European football in the next 10 years.'