Agent Mino Raiola has dismissed suggestions that he was behind the collapse of Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Haaland's potential move to Manchester United.
Despite heavy links to United, the Norwegian recently sealed a switch to Borussia Dortmund, and it was reported that the Red Devils actually pulled out of the deal because they did not want to deal with Raiola and his excessive demands.
Let’s go @BVB #Haaland2024 pic.twitter.com/T43IiOUx3K
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 29, 2019
Speaking to The Telegraph, Raiola hit back at the idea that he was behind the failed move, adding that he did not insist on a release clause or anything else which United were not impressed with.
“I do not know if Manchester United are briefing this but if they are then they are covering their own loss and that I find strange and disappointing,” Raiola said.
“There was no fall-out between me and (United executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward. It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path.
Raiola is said to have pocketed €15m for his role in the deal, while Haaland's Dortmund contract does contain a buy-out clause which is not currently public.
The agent went on to insist that he did all he could to give United the best chance to sign Haaland, but the player ultimately decided against a switch to the Red Devils.
"The club that he had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United,” Raiola said. “They spoke to him the most. Everybody had the chance to talk to him in person. We let that happen especially when he knows Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer].
“Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career. There is nothing against Manchester United or Ole. He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs and I’m very happy because he is going to the club he wanted to go to and that is best for him right now.
"If he wanted to go to Manchester United I would have been obliged to take him to Manchester United but he did not.
“When you are 19 then maybe you prefer not to go to the Premier League. The offer from Manchester United was good. It was not about the economics. It is just the player chose Borussia Dortmund at this stage of his career.”
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Source : 90min