Pranav Nair
Manchester United favourites to land Erling Haaland after Barcelona pull out
According to Bild (h/t The Express), Manchester United have been made the favourites to land Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland.
The 20-year-old is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top transfer targets for the summer. However, the competition for his signature combined with Dortmund”s massive asking price are seen as key obstacles we need to overcome.
One team who will not contest his signing is Catalan giants Barcelona. The La Liga side was amongst the first teams visited by Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola during his cross-continent expedition last month.
While the report downplays Barcelona’s chances, it also makes the stunning admission that United are now ahead of others in the race to land Haaland.
It is no secret that the Red Devils are keen on a new striker this summer. In Haaland, they would be getting not just a proven goalscorer but also one who can lead the line for years to come.
Another major obstacle United need to overcome is the player’s agent – Mino Raiola. The superagent does not have the best of relationships with United and is already embroiled in the battle to keep Paul Pogba at Old Trafford this summer.
The Red Devils missed an opportunity to sign Haaland before he moved to Dortmund in 2020. It has proven to be a colossal blunder given how the Norwegian has developed in the Bundesliga.
While signing him is not out of the question for United, the club will need to shatter their transfer record to cough up what Dortmund seek. The Germans are demanding more than £100million to let go of their star marksman.
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Solskjaer worked with Haaland during his formative years at Molde. The United boss admitted previously that he continues to stay in contact with his former player. Whether a reunion is on the cards remains to be seen.
