An offer has been made for Norwegian and RB Salzburg striker Erling Haaland, Bundesliga table-toppers RB Leipzig confirmed on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old striker who is also a target for Manchester United has been in superb form for the Austrian side this season scoring 28 goals in 22 appearances both in the league and in Europe. And Leipzig have made intention known to bring the Salzburg wonderkid to Bundesliga, in a move which could signal the departure of German striker Timo Werner.
Haaland who arrived at Salzburg from Molde in January has a £20million release clause in his contract. And the decision to join a new club in the summer of 2020 now rests with the player himself.
Confirming the offer to Kicker, Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche said it is true a bid has been made and they are waiting from Haaland’s agents.
“We have shown what we can offer him and which part he could play in our team. It’s now up to him,” Krosche said.
Also, Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann confirmed last week he had also met with Haaland to convince him his future lies in Germany.
“I tried to explain to him in good English what my idea of football is. I think it went quite well,” Nagelsmann said.
Meanwhile, Solskjaer met with the Norwegian last week Friday 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.
The 19-year-old has become one of the hottest properties in Europe after scoring 28 goals for Salzburg this season. Real Madrid and Juventus are also reportedly battling for the teenager’s signature.
Meanwhile, 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.”
