Manchester United missed out on signing goalscoring sensation Erling Haaland for just £3million, according to a report on Sunday.
The Red Devils, along with Chelsea and Liverpool, have been continually linked with a move for the Borussia Dortmund attacker.
The Bundesliga giants are demanding as much as €110m for their star man, with Chelsea looking closest to a deal.
The Norwegian has scored 27 goals and laid on eight assists in just 26 games this season. It’s that sort of form continues to see his asking price sky rocket.
However, an incredible report in the Daily Mirror claims that United could have landed Haaland for £3m plus add-ons in 2018.
The 20-year-old joined Dortmund Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020, after they triggered the £17.1m buy-out clause in his contract.
But things could have been very different if a screw up over time zones had not occurred.
United were looking to sign the player in the summer of 2018, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was still in charge of Molde.
The Mirror states that Red Devils officials had scheduled talks with Haaland’s agent Jim Solbakken at 9am (unmentioned date). However, a confusion in the European time zone scuppered the deal.
Molde had imagined that the talks were due at 9am Scandinavian time rather GMT,which is one hour behind.
By the time United made contact, Salzburg had already agreed a deal worth £3m plus add-ons for the striker.
The Red Devils have since been forced to look on as Haaland has emerged as arguably European football’s most deadly forward.
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Tuchel admits failed Fernandes bid
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has labelled Bruno Fernandes one of the best midfielders in the world and confirmed he wanted former club PSG to rival Manchester United for his signature.
The Portuguese playmaker has scored 22 goals for the Red Devils this season to continue his remarkable start to life at Old Trafford.
In the space of 12 months, Fernandes has become a key player for United. He could have a big say on the outcome of Sunday’s Premier League match at Chelsea.
However, Tuchel has revealed Fernandes could have been plying his trade in Paris. That was after ex-PSG sporting director Antero Henrique tried to sign him from Sporting Lisbon.
The German said: “During my first year in Paris, not sure if it was the first transfer period or second or third, I am not sure. It was just when we arrived in the summer.
“I got aware of him more in detail because of my sporting director that knew him very well. So we watched more and more games about him and followed him and tried to be in touch with him to make it happen.” Read more…
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Robert McCarthy
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