Having managed 28 goals and seven assists in 22 matches for Red Bull Salzburg this season, Erling Braut Haaland is one of the most sought-after players ahead of January.
Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are keen on acquiring the striker’s services in January and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already confirmed his side’s interest in the 19-year-old.
Various claims coming out of Germany suggested Red Bull’s connection with the Austrian side and Leipzig can help the latter sign the Norway international with ease. However, this notion has been dismissed by the Bundesliga club’s managing director, Oliver Mintzlaff.
“It’s the same cliché again: we can buy everything and we can get everything and we can do everything. Unfortunately, we can’t, otherwise Haaland would already be with us,” he said during an interview with Sport1.
Mintzlaff revealed there’s huge interest from his side in signing the player, but stressed the competition from Manchester United and other clubs makes it difficult for Leipzig to acquire the frontman’s services.
“Yes, we met with him. We are interested in the player – great interest. He listened to it, logically, and is very open to a move. He would like to change [clubs] in summer at the latest,” Mintzlaff explained.
“It is not easy. There’s Manchester United, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund. There are a few other clubs as well.”
Mintzlaff didn’t discuss Haaland’s asking price, but stated Leipzig can manage to meet the fee needed to sign him. That said, the overall package makes it difficult for them to compete with the likes of United and others.
“…of course, our club also has certain guard rails and limits. And I have named the clubs that compete, and there may be salary regions that we don’t want to go into. [The transfer fee] is still manageable, but the package does not only consist of the transfer fee,” the Leipzig chief stressed.
