Solskjaer wants ‘to do something’; addresses reports Haaland is heading to Manchester

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer TEAMtalk

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has brushed off reports that Erling Haaland is flying into Manchester for talks on Friday, but admitted he is looking to “do something” next month.

Norway paper Aftenbladet reported that Haaland took a Norwegian Airlines flight from Stavanger in his homeland to Manchester set to land at 10.15am on Friday.

The 19-year-old is on United’s shortlist ahead of the January transfer window after scoring 28 goals in 22 appearances for the Austrian side this season.

Haaland has emerged as one of the most in-demand young strikers in European football and Solskjaer and after the League Cup win over Colchester Solskajer said: “He is a player I like.”

However, at Carrington on Friday he claimed he could not comment on other teams’ players and denied he was heading for Old Trafford.

“I don’t think he’s en route here, to be fair, not through me anyway. You know I can’t comment on other teams’ players, I’ve said that many times and that’s just one of those things in this job you get speculation a lot of the time,” said Solskjaer.

“Well, he’s not coming to Manchester… I know the boy and his friends and he’s on a Christmas holiday. You can’t fly anywhere from Stavanger, you need to go via here.”

Asked if he was hopeful of adding new signings next month, the United boss said:  “Yeah, as a manager you always hope that you can do something but then again it’s not something that’s nailed on.

“It has to be the right player. Right age, gonna fit into this squad and for the right value. We’re always looking and the transfer window is open but it might not happen.

“We’re getting players back. We’re getting Paul, Diogo, Eric, Timothy back, that’s four extra bodies back for us in the coming months.

“Diogo is playing tonight in the game for the youngsters, from then on he’s ready, Eric, Tim and Paul probably need a little more time.”

There is fierce competition to sign the forward with German newspaper Ruhr Nachrichten claiming Haaland was in Dortmund last Wednesday for talks over a prospective January move to the Westfallonstadion.

Haaland has also spoken to Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann, which left Solskjaer making a dash to Austria to meet with the player last Friday.

United though are facing a £12million agent fee to complete the signing of Erling Haaland, according to a report.

Haaland is reported to have a €20m (£17m) exit clause in his contract, but the prolific striker’s price tag is much higher than that with his agent Mino Raiola looking for a January auction.

Raiola, who also represents Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku, is not one of United’s favourite people and add into the mix that he is demanding a huge agent fee to get the Norwegian to Old Trafford, then the deal looks increasingly more complex.

The Sun “understands a figure of £12m has been quoted by Raiola” in a deal which would see Haaland loaned back to Salzburg for the remainder of the season.