Manchester United wanted to sign Erling Haaland in the winter transfer window of last year but the Norwegian decided to sign for Borussia Dortmund and agreed a deal worth £130,000-a-week (The Mail).
Earlier this month, Mirror Sport revealed that the 20-year-old is still on the radar of the Red Devils and he is the striker that Solskjaer really wants at Man Utd.
Transfer: Report – Club have made contact to sign £39million Man Utd attacker
Former Old Trafford center forward Michael Owen has backed Man Ud to sign Erling Haaland, who would be able to serve the club in the long run.
The 41-year-old told Stadium Astro:
“If he had an open cheque book, if I was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, I’d be playing [Rashford, Martial and Greenwood] in wider positions, and I’d probably try and buy someone like Haaland because that’s the future of your team for about 10 years.”
The former Salzburg star’s goal-scoring record is phenomenal. He netted 29 goals in 27 appearances for the Austrian side in all competitions and so far, he has found the net 35 times in 34 games for Dortmund.
Thus far, Haaland has played 12 games in the UEFA Champions League, Europe’s elite tournament, and he has already scored 16 goals.
Man Utd used Martial, who is not an out and out striker, in the No.9 role last term. They do have a proven striker like Cavani but the Uruguayan is just a short term fix and Solskjaer needs to think long term. In such a scenario, Haaland would be a brilliant signing.
German legend Lothar Matthaus praised the young center forward and stated that he is a ‘machine’, who would eventually end up leaving Dortmund (talkSPORT).
In all fairness, he is one of the best finishers in the world and would not go for cheap. His contract with BvB has a clause that contains a release clause (talkSPORT) of €75million (can be activated next year). On the other hand, at the moment, he is valued at €155million (MD).
So Ex-United “Legend” Owen thinks United should and will sign Haaland? I am not so sure. for 1, when his clause kicks in there will be lots of clubs looking for this young man services, and 2, his Agent, do we really want another player being unsettled and moved on because his agent wants more money. Surely we have had enough of Raiola to last a lifetime. I love this kid, he is a great finisher but there will have to be a release clause in his contract and a lot of headaches with his agent around. Not sure he is worth all the hassle