Real Madrid: Haaland priced at €100m by Red Bull Salzburg
The 19-year-old Norway forward has been tearing up Europe this season with 26 goals already, alerting Real Madrid, Manchester United and Juventus.
Real Madrid may find themselves frustrated in their pursuit of Red Bull Salzburg sensation Erling Braut Haaland after the Austrian Bundesliga side slapped a price tag of 100 million euros on the 19-year-old who has scored 26 goals in 18 games this season.
Salzburg are keen to cash in on Haaland given the huge interest he is generating and have already started fielding inquiries from intermediaries, reportedly quoting the nine-figure sum. If the teenager’s extraordinary form continues at its current rate, that could prove to be simply where the bidding starts.
AS understands that Manchester United are currently pushing the hardest to try and secure Haaland’s signature, with the additional advantage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s relationship with the player he handed a debut to at Molde and the time he spent in the city when his father, Alf-Inge, was playing for Manchester City. Whether or not that will be enough to see the Norwegian continue at Old Trafford beyond this season given United’s struggles remains to be seen. Nonetheless, United will still attempt to seal the deal ahead of their competitors.
Real Madrid's Jovic investment rules out Haaland
Haaland initially rejected advances from both United and Juventus so as not to stunt his development and opted instead to join Salzburg, the Austrian club paying Molde just five million euros for the striker in January.
Haaland himself has remained coy on speculation, offering a “no comment” when asked about the possibility of joining Real Madrid, while his father and agent (who is advised by Mino Raiola) has also refused to speak publicly about his son’s future.
From Madrid’s point of view, Salzburg’s price tag will in all likelihood end their interest. With Karim Benzema in-form and with the full backing of coach and board and the 60m summer investment made in 21-year-old Luka Jovic, a move for Haaland would be viewed as a direct snub to Jovic, who has yet to be fully handed his chance due to the Frenchman’s blazing start to the season and Zinedine Zidane’s preference for playing with a single striker.