Report: Manchester United still determined to land Haaland next summer

Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival this summer won’t halt Manchester United’s pursuit of Erling Haaland at the end of the season, according to ESPN’s Mark Ogden.

United exceeded their summer budget to make Ronaldo the highest-paid player at Old Trafford. However, Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland reportedly remains a priority transfer target, and United are ready to battle Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain for the 21-year-old.

It’s understood Haaland is available for €75 million next offseason due to a release clause written into his BVB contract.

The competition to sign Haaland will be fierce. City are desperate to land a striker following their recent failed pursuit of Harry Kane and links with Ronaldo before he re-signed for United. Bayern Munich have identified Haaland as Robert Lewandowski’s ideal successor in their attack, while PSG are prepared to make a move to compensate for Kylian Mbappe’s anticipated free transfer to Real Madrid.

However, United believe they have the resources needed to acquire Haaland and hope that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s relationship with the explosive attacker – he handed Haaland his senior debut as a teenager at Molde – will give them an advantage in the race.

The Red Devils’ determination to buy Haaland hasn’t weakened since Ronaldo’s unveiling boosted their wealth of attacking options. Daniel James was sold to Leeds United on transfer deadline day after it became evident that Ronaldo’s presence would greatly limit the Welsh winger’s first-team opportunities.

Haaland was reportedly close to moving to United during the 2019-20 winter transfer window before he chose to join Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg. The Norwegian forward has since scored 63 goals in 64 appearances across all competitions for the German side.