Manchester United are confident they will win the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, despite Chelsea desperately pushing for a deal this summer.
United narrowly missed out on signing Haaland, one of the hottest prospects in world football, 18 months ago when he left Red Bull Salzburg for the Bundesliga.
Despite turning down a move to Old Trafford, the Norway international holds his compatriot Solskjaer in high regard.
And United bosses think he will prove key in landing the forward, according to The Sun.
Solskjaer has just penned a new three-year deal, which United chiefs hope will convince Haaland he’s there for the long haul.
It’s thought he would be unwilling to move to Old Trafford, should Solskjaer be moved on.
Solskjaer has remained in close contact with the striker since they worked together at Molde, when he was managing the Norwegian side.
While in an ideal world, United would be pushing for his signature this summer, they have already spent big on Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
That means they will wait to try and sign him next summer, when they’re confident they will be the favourites to land him.
However, while United believe they would beat Chelsea to a deal if it became a direct shootout next summer, the Blues are hoping to avoid that scenario by signing him in this transfer window.
There has been little movement, with Dortmunt adamant they aren’t selling him this summer.
Haaland has a £63million release clause that comes into effect next summer, with clubs needing to pay more than twice that if they want to sign him this summer.
Chelsea are willing to do that – with a bid of £150m reported to be incoming – but Dortmund are expected to hold firm and if he stays, United believe they will be the club signing him next summer.
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