Mino Raiola insists Erling Haaland chose Borussia Dortmund over Manchester United — despite meeting with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Haaland, 19, completed his move to Dortmund on Sunday after months of speculation over a move to Old Trafford and several other tops clubs in Europe.
Man Utd insisted they pulled out of the race to sign Haaland because of concerns over how the deal was structured — included payments to Raiola and Haaland’s father.
READ MORE: Three forwards Man Utd could go for in the transfer window after missing out on Erling Haaland
The duo who represent Haaland insisted on a buy-out clause in the contract, which United rightly said no to as we’re not some stepping stone club.
But there’s a twist in the tale. Raiola has hit back and dismissed United’s claims.
“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,” the agent told the Telegraph.
“There was no fall-out between me and 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.”
Raiola then suggested Haaland personally held talks United before deciding to leave Red Bull Salzburg for BVB.
“The club that he had the most direct contact with him was Manchester United. Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career.
“He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs. When you are 19 then maybe you prefer not to go to the Premier League.”
The Bundesliga will be a big step up from the Austrian league, so we’re intrigued to see how he gets on once the winter break ends in Germany.
Raiola is always going to come out and defend himself, but there are two ways to look at Haaland’s switch to BVB.
The Italian agent doesn’t exactly dismiss claims about fees and buy-out clauses in his comments.
