Manchester United look to have lost out to Borussia Dortmund in the race to sign Birmingham's 17-year-old midfield sensation Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham is set to snub United in favour of a £20million move to Dortmund, but Solskjaer was philosophical when pushed on the issue.
“Any young player needs to make a decision they’re comfortable with and where he can make an impact,” said Solskjaer.
“If you’re 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20, they’re important decisions for them.
“We’ve got some examples of players taking a chance, moving away from big clubs to smaller clubs, and it hasn’t worked.
“That’s a chance, a risk they take. I was 22 before I went to Molde, 23 when I came to United.
“John Arne Riise, who comes from a similar area to me, went to Monaco when he was 16 and we both won Champions Leagues as players, so there are different roads that lead to the destination.”
Bellingham has enjoyed a breakthrough season at St.Andrews, scoring four times in 38 outings for the second tier outfit.
United have looked to target young English talent in the transfer market making the teenager an ideal target.
But Bellingham will join Jadon Sancho in the Bundesliga, although the pair may not be team-mates for long depending on whether the former Manchester City man moves on.
Old Trafford has been touted as his most likely destination should he return to English soil.
But reports have suggested that United will not pay more than £50m for a player who Dortmund have already valued at £100m.
