Manchester United have been reportedly handed a boost in their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian international has a €75 million release clause in his contract which was thought to become active next summer.
However, according to Spanish news outlet Marca, the release clause actually springs into life after the close of this summer transfer window, meaning Erling Haaland could leave Borussia Dortmund as early as January 2022.
Haaland has been on Manchester United’s radar for some time now, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer having him at the top of his transfer shortlist earlier this year. However, Edinson Cavani’s decision to sign a one-year contract extension eventually drove the Red Devils into making a move for Jadon Sancho instead.
Erling Haaland, 21, one of the hottest properties in Europe, is chased by a number of elite European clubs. The youngster scored a breath-taking 41 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions for Borussia Dortmund and helped them win the DFB Pokal last season. He has started the new season in fine form with five goals and three assists in four appearances to date.
Erling Haaland – Should Manchester United make a move for him?
The summer signing of Jadon Sancho has further boosted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s attacking options at Old Trafford this season. This means the Manchester United boss currently has the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Elanga currently at his disposal.
But with Cavani’s contract expiring at the end of the 2021-22 campaign, Martial very inconsistent and Elanga still in the developmental phase of his career, Solskjaer should go for a prolific goal-scorer next year. In that regard, Erling Haaland would be a perfect fit at Old Trafford.
Haaland has scored an outrageous amount of goals for Dortmund since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020. 62 goals in 64 games so far for the Bundesliga outfit demonstrate the Norwegian star’s ruthlessness in front of goal.
Standing at 6ft 4ins tall yet deceptively quick through the ground, the 21-year-old is a nightmare for defenders in and around the box. Using his pace and strength, Haaland can run in behind defences and finish off a move without breaking a sweat. Blessed with a lethal left foot, he has the ability to find the back of the net from short as well as long distances.
At 21, the Norwegian international is already one of the best in his positions and is bound to only get better with time, age and experience. Having worked with him at Molde, Solskjaer knows Haaland in and out and that could give Manchester United the edge over other European clubs in the striker’s pursuit.
Should Haaland join the Reds, he would slot seamlessly in Solskjaer’s starting XI and link up well with attackers like Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and co. All in all, the 21-year-old goal-machine could be the final piece in the jigsaw and make Manchester United one of the favourites to win the Premier League in the 2022-23 campaign and potentially push make an impact in the second half of the current season.