Not for the first time, reports have surfaced suggesting that Erling Haaland could be set for a brand switch from Nike to PUMA. The Dortmund hitman has been sponsored by Nike ever since he’s been a pro, but his contract with Nike is set to end in January 2022.
Erling Haaland is one of the most in demand strikers on the planet, with his goalscoring statistics registering virtually off the charts. And it’s not just clubs that are circling the young Norwegian striker, with brands also keen to secure the services of one of the best players in the world. For his professional career to date Haaland has been a Nike player, only wearing the Mercurial (both Vapor and Superfly), but could that be set to change?
Back when Haaland signed with Borussia Dortmund there was a lot of talk of a potential switch to PUMA as well. He was seen wearing completely whiteout Mercurials, devoid of any Swoosh, adding fuel to the speculative fire that he his time with Nike was up. Added to that was the fact that his fellow countryman, Bjorn Gulden, just so happens to be the CEO of PUMA, and he was a key figure in helping to orchestrate the move to Dortmund. As part of the negotiations between the club and player it was thought that Dortmund roped in PUMA to offer Haaland a lucrative sponsorship package to eclipse his current deal with the Swoosh. Though nothing came at that time had the wheels been set in motion and could it now be that, with his deal with Nike set to end in January 2022, a deal is set to be struck?
PUMA is a shareholder of Borussia Dortmund, and throughout the long-partnership with the club the brand has poached a number of top BVB players into their ranks including Marco Reus, Axel Witsel, Łukasz Piszczek and Marc Bartra. According to German publication Bild, Haaland could well be next.
They have reported that Haaland joining PUMA could be a key part of the negotiations to keep the 21-year-old in Dortmund for another year. The German brand are reportedly willing to offer him a total of 25 million euros over the next five years. Sport Bild had reported only on Wednesday morning that the Dortmund are considering raising the salary of the Norwegian to 15 million euros if he would also stay for the 22/23 season.
Of course, nothing is set in stone until it's signed and revealed, and Nike will be keen to keep one of the most talented young strikers in the game. But there’s no smoke without fire, and Haaland is always on fire…
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