Manchester United are reportedly closing in on a £76million deal for goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland - but will loan him back to Red Bull Salzburg for the remainder of the season.
Haaland, son of former Leeds and Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge, has scored 28 goals in 22 appearances in all competitions this term and has five hat-tricks to his name, including one on his Champions League debut.
That has, understandably, led to him being linked with a number of clubs including United, who are keen to bolster their attacking ranks when the transfer window reopens next month.
And The Sun has claimed that discussions between United and Salzburg are progressing well, although the Austrian side are keen to have their 19-year-old striker back on loan until the end of the season.
This will be a blow to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is desperate to bolster his attacking ranks in the January window.
However Salzburg are seemingly not budging, while Haaland is also happy to remain in Austria for another six months before joining up with his new team in the summer.
Haaland worked with Solskjaer during their brief spell together at Molde and the striker is keen on a reunion.
United, however, have been facing fierce competition from Red Bull Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
Haaland visited the training grounds at Borusssia Dortmund and Red Bull Leipzig this month amid reports that Solskjaer flew to Salzburg last Friday to make a last ditch pitch for the youngster.
Dortmund are pressing hard to sign Haaland but Solskjaer has tried to tempt him to United with the promise of a place in attack alongside Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
It’s believed Haaland has already visited United’s Carrington training complex and is keen to be part of Solskjaer’s revolution at Old Trafford.
United are prepared to pay what it takes to secure Haaland – in January if possible – and have the financial muscle to out-bid Dortmund and Juventus .
