Manchester United target and Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland has made a decision on his future, Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed on Sunday.
Futballnews had reported Solskjaer met with the Norwegian on 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.”
