MANCHESTER UNITED will have to wait until 2022 if they are to trigger Erling Haaland’s £65million release clause.
The Borussia Dortmund striker had been in electrifying form, prior to the suspension of football on account of the global coronavirus pandemic.
Haaland has quickly become one of Europe’s hottest propertiesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And it was believed that the Bundesliga club could be powerless to prevent European giants like United or Real Madrid pouncing on the clause in his contract.
But according to Bild, it has now emerged that the Norwegian’s £65million buy-out only comes into effect in two years’ time – in 2022.
This means that BVB could command a much higher fee if the Red Devils were to come in for the 19-year-old hotshot in the summer.
Lucien Favre’s side only recruited the Leeds-born striker in January, but such has been the impressive nature of his start to life in Germany, that the vultures are already circling.
Haaland had netted 28 goals in 22 games for Austrian side RB Salzburg in the first half of the campaign – earning him his £20million switch to Dortmund.
And that figure instantly proved to be a bargain, with the 6ft 4in forward having started life in Westphalia superbly – scoring 12 goals in 11 games – including a wonderful Champions League brace against Paris Saint-Germain.
As well as the fee, another stumbling block in United’s pursuit could be Haaland’s agent – Mino Raiola.
The Italian also represents Paul Pogba, and engaged in an ugly war of words with Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this season – accusing him of treating his client like a “prisoner”.
They will also face a battle with Real Madrid, with the LaLiga giants rumoured to be chasing the signatures of Haaland and Kylian Mbappe to usher in a new era of Galacticos.
Haaland is not the only BVB youngster to have caught United’s eyeCredit: AFP or licensors
It looks set to be a busy summer of communications between Dortmund and United chiefs, with Jadon Sancho also very much on the agenda.
The Red Devils believe they are in pole position to bring the £100million 20-year-old back to England.
But they could also face competition from Real Madrid – as the old European foes look set to go head-to-head in the market once again.
Erling Haaland reveals Man United boss Solskjaer helped turn him into deadly finisher after shooting drills practice
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
