Erling Haaland would ‘fit in perfectly’ at United says expert
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it a priority to strengthen his attacking options in the January transfer window and the Norwegian coach has his sights set on in-form striker Erling Haaland. The 19-year-old has been in fantastic form this season for Red Bull Salzburg and as a result has attracted the attention of several major clubs across Europe, including United,Juventus,Borussia DortmundandRB Leipzig.
Haaland, who is the son of former Manchester City and Leeds United player Alf-Inge Haaland, has already scored 28 goals and created seven assists in just 22 appearances in all competitions this season.
And according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, United must be willing to guarantee the player first-team football, as well as a substantial contract, if they are to beat the other interested team to his signature.
“Solskjaer knows Haaland wants to play,” Romano tweeted.
“He’d never accept a club where he’d not play every week.
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Haaland has already held talks with several teams including United, Dortmund and Leipzig.
Solskjaer flew out to Austria to hold face-to-face talks with the youngster and afterwards said: “He knows what he wants to do and what he’s going to do.”
While Leipzig boss also appeared upbeat after speaking to Haaland.
"I tried to explain to him in good English what my idea of football was," said boss Julian Nagelsmann.
Man Utd transfer news: Haaland has scored 28 goals in 22 games so far this season (Image: GETTY)
"I think it went quite well. After such talks you can say relatively little because they are usually very one-sided.
“You tell a lot as a coach, the consultant and the player listen."
However, United feel they are in a strong position due to their financial clout and the fact that Solskjaer has previously worked with the Haaland, when they were both at Molde.
Haaland began his career at Norwegian side Bryne and then moved Molde in 2017, while Solskjaer was managing the club, during which time he scored 20 goals in 50 appearances.
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After Solskjaer left to become United’s manager, Haaland at the beginning of 2019 secured a move to Salzburg after rejecting a potential transfer to Juventus.
And the decision to play regular first-team football has paid off for the youngster, as he has gone on to become one of the most sought after strikers in European football.
As for Haaland’s wage demands, United can afford the €8m (£6.8m) a year he is looking for, while according to German publication Bild, Leipzig are currently refusing to go above €5m (£4.25m).
If such a deal was agreed with United, then Haaland would be on just over £130,000-a-week, which would make him one of the Red Devils highest paid stars.