Juventus have reportedly agreed personal terms with Norweigian and Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Haaland, according to reports.
The Serie A side have been of one of the European clubs leading the race for the 19-year-old. Other clubs in the race to sign the young striker are Real Madrid, Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig.
All the clubs are claimed to have met Haaland’s €30m release clause, but Italian outlet Tuttosport has reported that the Norway international has already made a decision over his next move.
It’s claimed that Haaland has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with the Bianconeri ahead of the January transfer window – giving the green light to a long-term deal that will see him earn up to €8m a year.
Futballnews had reported Solskjaer met with the Norwegian on earlier in the month in a bid to complete a January transfer to United after learning Haaland had met with representatives from Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig on Wednesday. He then returned to Manchester to prepare his side for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Everton at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer and Haaland have worked together in Norway. Solskjaer will no doubt be hoping the personal touch will help persuade Haaland who played under him at Molde, where he scored 26 goals in 18 matches in all competitions.
Solskjaer refused to deny he had flown to Salzburg, but when asked what advice he would give to Haaland, he said: “I don’t comment on speculation.
“He knows what he wants to do and what he’s going to do.”
United’s manager has made a prolific goalscorer his priority in January, with Haaland and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho as his target. Solskjaer is prepared to wait until the end of the season to complete the deal. But he would prefer to bring in the teenager as soon as possible in order to boost the club’s challenge for Champions League qualification.
He has openly acknowledged that he left himself short up front after failing to replace Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez last summer and wants to bring in at least three new signings over the next two windows.
United opted for Haaland after making regular checks on him in recent weeks and sending head of global scouting Marcel Bout to watch him in Salzburg’s Champions League clash with Liverpool on Tuesday.
“We’re looking to strengthen in many positions,” said Solskjaer this week.
“If you look at our squad compared to others we’re getting there, but need two or three players to have a squad with enough numbers to rotate throughout a long season and we’ll see what we sign.”
