Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick is pushing for the club to sign Borussia Dortmund and Norway sensation Erling Haaland, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.
The 21-year-old striker, who has scored 19 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions so far this season, is considered as one of the most exciting, attention-grabbing players in the world and has no shortage of admirers right across Europe.
Despite strong interest from elsewhere, it is understood that Rangnick is keen to bring him to Old Trafford and bolster United's attacking options. As reported by the Manchester Evening News earlier this year, Haaland is a priority target for United when it comes to identifying a striker to spearhead their forward-line for the long-term.
Haaland has a €75million release clause within his contract that becomes active next year, meaning there is likely to be a huge scramble in the battle to secure his signature, with it seemingly certain that he will leave Dortmund.
Amongst those said to be interested in him include Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, meaning United will have to overcome several big hitters to stand any chance of getting a deal over the line.
But Rangnick's presence at Old Trafford could significantly help United's chances. The 63-year-old oversaw Haaland's move to Red Bull Salzburg from Molde in 2018 as he was Red Bull's sporting director at the time.
If United were to be the lucky winners of Haaland's signature next summer, even though it remains impossible to predict where he could end up, you can guarantee that the 2022/23 United replica shirts with 'Haaland' on the back would be in incredibly high demand. But what number would the Norwegian take if he was to secure a big-money move to Old Trafford?
It appears that Haaland, who has netted a staggering 76 goals in 75 games for Dortmund since joining the club in January 2020, has several preferred options. Despite his tender age, he has already worn a series of different shirt numbers, so much so that they amount to nine in total.
Currently, whilst playing for Dortmund, he wears the No.9 shirt. On international duty for Norway he wears No.23. However, he has also worn 17, 19 and 30 at club level.
Having worn the No.9 shirt last season and this for Dortmund, it is clear that he would look to continue that trend at Old Trafford. After all, it is a trademark shirt number for all natural goal-scoring predators.
At this moment in time, the No.9 shirt at United is held by Anthony Martial. But the Frenchman wants to leave Old Trafford and pursue opportunities elsewhere, with his game time having significantly reduced this season. With an exit seeming likely, whether it be in January or next summer, his departure would pave the way for Haaland to scoop the No.9 shirt if he joined United.
Both 17 and 19 are currently taken by Fred and Raphael Varane, respectively, whilst 30 is registered to goalkeeper Nathan Bishop, who is currently on loan at League Two side Mansfield Town.
But what other numbers could Haaland currently choose from if he fancied a new-look in fresh surroundings? Here, MEN Sport has taken a close look at some of those shirt numbers currently available.
No.12
Since permanently leaving United in October last year to join Roma, Chris Smalling's vacated No.12 shirt has not been worn or claimed by anyone, meaning it is currently available for any potential January or summer arrivals.
No.15
Technically, the No.15 shirt at Old Trafford is currently owned by Andreas Pereira, who is on loan at Brazilian club Flamengo. But with clubs renowned for changing their shirt numbers to some degree each summer, and it likely that Pereira will leave the club on a permanent deal before too long, it is possible that No.15 could soon become vacant.
No.24
Last owned by defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah, the No.24 shirt is another one up for grabs at Old Trafford. It is a shirt number most often associated with Darren Fletcher, as well as Paul Scholes and David Beckham for a short amount of time.
Other numbers that are currently available include 32 and 35.
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