Mino Raiola has refuted claims that Manchester United withdrew from the race to sign Europe’s top talent Erling Haaland because of the excessive demands made by the agent.
Raiola revealed that Haaland had more contact with United than any other side, including meetings with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and that it was the player’s choice to move to Dortmund because he felt it was a better club for him.
Raiola also told Telegraph that contrary to suggestions he and Haaland’s father Alf Inge Haaland who also represents him did not try to insist a buy-out clause in the striker’s contract to have a share in his future sale.
“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 over the claims that demanding a buy-out clause had led to the transfer to Old Trafford not happening.
“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. If they want to blame someone then, fine, blame me but the player is happy. He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.”
It was announced on Sunday that Borussia Dortmund had beaten up to 11 clubs to sign Haaland from RB Salzburg after meeting the 20million euro buy-out in his contract.
The news was a big blow to United and Solskjaer who had put a huge amount of work to sign Haaland. Solskjaer flew to Salzburg to meet with Haaland and his father earlier this month with the hope of tying up a deal but the youngster decided his career would be best served by a transfer move to Germany.
Raiola pointed out that Haaland knew Solskjaer well. The United boss is also friends with Haaland’s father from their days playing in Manchester and for the national team. Alf Inge Haaland is a former Man City, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest midfielder. “They are both Norwegian and were players together and are friends,” Raiola said.
“The club that he (Erling Haaland) had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United. 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.
“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.”
Raiola also claimed that he did not know whether United had briefed on the claim that he had insisted on a buy-out clause in the contract. “We did not hide any interest from Manchester United,” Raiola said. “He (Erling Haaland) was in contact himself with Ole.”
