Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed that Erling Braut Haaland came close to joining Manchester United from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
The Red Devils were strongly linked with Haaland during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s time at the helm, and the 20-time English champions, at one stage, were believed to be in pole position to sign him.
Dortmund ultimately secured the Norway international’s signature, and Watzke has revealed that the German club’s decision to insert a release clause into the agreement meant that they were able to bring him to the club.
“We gave Erling Haaland a release clause… otherwise he would have gone to Manchester United,” the Bundesliga outfit’s chief told 19:09 Talk.
Haaland is expected to leave Dortmund in a £67m deal this summer, with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona seemingly battling for his signature.
The 21-year-old has scored 25 goals and registered eight assists in 27 appearances for BVB during the 2021-22 campaign despite struggling with some injury problems.
In total, he has netted 82 goals and provided 23 assists in 86 outings for his German club following on from the 29 goals and seven assists that he managed in 27 matches for Salzburg.
