Håland 律♂️ pic.twitter.com/zqqoevH8tF
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) December 29, 2019
Juventus and Salsburg's sister club RB Leipzig were also in the frame, but in the end it was Dortmund who won the race, announcing his signing on Sunday ahead of the January window after meeting his release clause reported to be somewhere between €20-30m.
It comes as disappointing news for United, but according to ESPN's Rob Dawson, it wasn't Haaland's lack of desire to join Manchester United that caused the move to fall through. The demands of the infamous Raiola, who had been central to negotiations with all four clubs, are said to have been too much for United to stomach.
United were interested in Haaland but refused to meet terms of the deal proposed by Raiola and his representatives. Wanted a buyout and percentage of future sale. United said no. Presumably Dortmund have agreed.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) December 29, 2019
Dawson explained on Twitter that the player's representatives demanded the club include a buyout clause and a percentage of any potential future transfer. With United seemingly keen to maximise any potential income received from his sale down the line, they bid the forward adieu to focus on other targets.
According to Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, however, the decision was Haaland's alone, with the appeal of the ongoing project at the club central to his decision to reject all other comers and make the January switch to Lucien Favre's men.
"Despite many offers from absolute top clubs from all over Europe, Erling Haaland decided on the sporting task at BVB and the perspective that we have shown him," he said.
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Source : 90min