Red Bull Salzburg boss Jesse Marsch has admitted the club could struggle to keep hold of Erling Haaland long-term but hopes he will stay until the summer.
The 19-year-old is on the radar of some of Europe's biggest clubs, including Premier League sides such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.
Haaland boasts 18 goals in 26 appearances to his name this term, including seven goals in four Champions League games, which has prompted the big clubs across Europe to take notice.
Latest reports have suggested Manchester United could explore the possibility of prising Haaland away from Salzburg in January but Marsch is hoping they can keep hold of him until the summer.
“This club is a wonderful place for young players to develop. It’s a quiet town, it’s also a league where players can make mistakes but still thrive and be successful before they take the next big step into bigger leagues and bigger clubs where everything gets put under the microscope at every minute,” the American told CNN.
“For Erling right now, in his development path, him and his father made a really good decision to come here in the first place.
“And we’re hopeful that Erling finishes the year here and that he can continue to grow and become a bigger and better man so that when it’s time for him to take the next step he’s fully, fully ready.”
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang yet to sign a contract extension with the Gunners, the Arsenal hierarchy could be tempted to look to the future with a big-money move for Haaland in the summer.
