By Abba Gwale
Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says he keeps in touch with Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland but is happy with Manchester United’s transfer policy.
Haaland has developed into one of the world’s most prolific forwards having scored 43 goals in 43 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Red Bull Salzburg at the end of 2019.
Solskjaer, who coached Haaland during his time in charge of Norwegian club Molde, reportedly met with the 20-year-old before his move to Germany after United head scout Marcel Bout had watched him play against Liverpool in the Champions League last season.
United met Haaland’s €20m release clause at the time but could not agree on the conditions for the transfer, with the stumbling block believed to be the value of the requested buy-out option if the Norway international moved to Old Trafford.
Asked if Haaland is still a player he would like to have at United, Solskjaer said: “When you have had kids and players through as a coach you follow them, of course.
“I keep in touch with Erling. It’s great to see him become the player he has become and I know he’ll work to improve all the time. He’s a Dortmund player, we just wish him well there and let’s see what life will bring later on.”
Haaland is under contract at Dortmund until 2024 but has a reported €75m (£66m) release clause, which comes into effect in the summer of 2022.
A host of Europe’s top clubs have been linked with a move for Haaland, including United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City, as well as La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Solskjaer added when asked if United’s chances of signing Haaland in the future are over: “You know I can’t speak about Erling because he’s with Borussia Dortmund.
“I think it’s disrespectful to talk too much about it, apart from that I know him and I speak to him.
“Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago? Everyone would say they’d take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.
“I think we’ve done well with recruitment. There’s a boy sat next to me here (Dan James) who proves that, Bruno [Fernandes] as well.
“I think the signings we’ve made since I’ve come to the club have all contributed and added to the squad, and that’s part of what we have to do.
“We have to complement what we have in our group with other different types of players and also young players, so I’m happy with our recruitment model and the processes we go through.”
