Manchester United believe Ralf Rangnick could help convince Erling Haaland to join Manchester United.
The Borussia Dortmund striker was a man in demand last summer but ended up staying at Signal Iduna Park for the current campaign due to his £150million price tag.
The Norwegian will be available for a more affordable fee at the end of the season with clubs able to trigger a £63m release clause in his contract.
And United will likely be one of his suitors - especially given Rangnick's appointment.
They hope the 63-year-old could give them the edge in their pursuit as Rangnick has a close relationship with Haaland's father, former Leeds and Manchester City midfielder Alf-Inge.
Could Ralf Rangnick give Manchester United the edge in their pursuit of Erling Haaland? Comment below
The former RB Leipzig boss was also sporting director at RB Salzburg when Haaland came to prominence before he was sold to Dortmund for £18m at the start of 2020.
United are also hoping to add reinforcements in January with the new Old Trafford boss set to be given a £100m budget for the upcoming window.
And Rangnick has not wasted any time in identifying his targets as he will look to raid his former club Leipzig for Amadou Haidara and Christopher Nkunku.
Dortmund insist they will do everything they can to retain Haaland beyond next summer, who is under contract until 2024.
They plan to double Haaland's wages, which would make him the top earner at the club, removing the 2022 release clause in the process.
"Of course, we are trying to give him the feeling that Borussia Dortmund continues to be a top location for him and that he can still develop here," Dortmund's head of first-team football, Sebastian Kehl told Bild.
"Maybe we can still convince him. We will fight for him. We will try everything. The decision has not yet been made, but I would bet €100 [on him staying]."
Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has reiterated that Haaland is not for sale, calling some claims "bulls***".
He told Sport1: "It has not yet been decided whether it will really leave in the summer.
"We'll just have a look. I heard someone say: 'They have to sell Haaland because they are listed on the stock exchange.' This is all bulls***! The decision whether someone is sold at our company is made by the management and only by the management.
"The ball lies in Erling's court. I get on well with Mino Raiola because we can assess each other well. I know what makes him tick. It is not right to believe that Raiola is all about money. He also has in mind what is best for Erling."
