This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
December 20, 2019
Manchester United have taken a significant step towards signing Erling Haaland, with the 19-year-old Norwegian striker reportedly on his way to Old Trafford for talks on a January transfer deal.
Haaland's father, former Leeds and Manchester City star Alf-Inge, is accompanying him on the trip, along with Jim Solbakken, the agent of Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has close ties to Haaland.
Solskjaer confirmed United's interest in signing Haaland, who he handed a senior debut while manager of Molde, and has reportedly held positive talks with the striker after flying to Salzburg for an urgent meeting last Friday.
Haaland is said to be keen to get his future decided by Christmas and is reportedly seeking a big contract and assurances over Solskjaer's future, as well as offers from other top clubs including Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
"He is a player I like," Solskjaer told Norwegian TV channel Viasport. "We are looking for good players all the time. Erling has had a good development, so he has to develop further wherever he decides. I don’t need to talk so much about him, but we as a team always look for players who can complement the others we have, and then we see what we end up with."
