The transfer of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland to Manchester City has sparked renewed debate after claims circulated on X alleging that the English club paid €250 million directly to Borussia Dortmund, rather than the widely reported €60 million fee.
The post, which received nearly four million views, claimed that a secret agreement had been used to conceal the real value of the transfer and also alleged that journalists were paid to cover up the details.
Where Did the €250 Million Claim Come From?
The claims were attributed to journalist David Ornstein, but the post was published by an account using the name David_Ornside, rather than Ornstein’s official account, David_Ornstein.
The account also describes itself as a satirical fan account, meaning the statements cannot be treated as verified comments from the journalist.
How Much Did Manchester City Pay for Haaland?
Erling Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for €60 million, which corresponded to the release clause included in his contract with the German club.
The figure of approximately €250 million can refer to the overall cost associated with the transfer, including the player’s salary, commissions and other expenses.
It does not mean that Manchester City paid €250 million directly to Borussia Dortmund for Haaland’s transfer.
What Do Borussia Dortmund’s Financial Figures Show?
Borussia Dortmund’s financial figures show that the club generated approximately €97.1 million in total player-transfer revenue during the 2022/23 season.
That figure covered transfers involving multiple players and was not limited to Haaland’s move to Manchester City.
As a result, the available financial information does not support the claim that Manchester City paid €250 million directly to Dortmund for the Norwegian striker.
Did Haaland’s Deal Cost €250 Million?
The overall financial cost of Haaland’s move can approach €250 million when salaries, commissions and other costs over the course of the contract are taken into account.
However, there is an important distinction between the total cost of a transfer package and the transfer fee received by the selling club.
In Haaland’s case, the reported transfer fee paid for his release from Borussia Dortmund was €60 million.
Conclusion
The available financial data does not support the claim that Manchester City paid €250 million directly to Borussia Dortmund for Erling Haaland.
The €250 million figure can instead refer to the broader cost of the deal, including wages, commissions and other associated expenses, rather than the transfer fee paid to the German club.
How much did Manchester City pay for Haaland?
Manchester City paid €60 million for Haaland, corresponding to the release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract.
Was Haaland’s transfer worth €250 million?
The overall cost of the deal can approach €250 million when salaries, commissions and other expenses are included, but that was not the transfer fee paid to Dortmund.
Did Manchester City pay €250 million to Borussia Dortmund?
The available financial figures do not support that claim.
Where did the €250 million claim originate?
The claim circulated through a satirical X account using a name similar to journalist David Ornstein’s official account.
