MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been dealt a transfer blow as RB Leipzig have first refusal on in-demand striker Erling Braut Haaland.
United have struggled up front after letting Romelu Lukaku leave for Inter Milan in the summer and have been linked with Haaland following his superb start to the season.
Erling Haaland has been scoring goals for fun in the Champions League this seasonCredit: Reuters
The Norwegian has 26 goals in all competitions this season but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks set to miss out on the 19-year-old.
The chances of landing Salzburg’s in-form striker have been dashed, according to the Mirror, because of a contractual tie-up between the two branded clubs – and a £25.7million release clause.
Solskjaer will have to look elsewhere as he aims to get his side back in to the top four. United have recently been linked with out-of-favour Juventus forward Mario Mandzukic but Ed Woodward is wary of signing players over the age of 30 after recent signings Nemanja Matic and Bastian Schweinsteiger have disappointed.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to add to his attacking options
Haaland, son of former Leeds legend Alf-Inge, has impressed in the Champions League this season, attracting interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.
United didn’t manage to replace Lukaku in the summer and only Marcus Rashford has scored more than five goals this season.
Solskjaer’s side have only won four of their 12 league matches this season, scoring just 16 goals in the process.
It is evident that they need more options in the attacking department but with the January transfer window usually inflating transfer fees, they may have to wait until the summer to find their solution.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
