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LONDON: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel have played down reports that their clubs will face off in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Braut Haaland. (pix).
Haaland has become one of the best forwards in the world after scoring 21 goals in 21 Bundesliga appearances this season.
The 20-year-old Norwegian turned down United to join Dortmund from RB Salzburg in 2019, but there is growing speculation that Solskjaer will make another attempt to sign him in the closed season.
Solskjaer coached Haaland in Molde and talks about a summer move from Dortmund escalated after the player’s agent Mino Raiola and his father Alf-Inge Haaland were photographed in Spain.
He has also been linked to Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
When asked if he could afford to miss Haaland again, Solskjaer said: “Well, I’m concentrating on the next two months and what’s going on in the world of football. There are so many places anyone can go.”
“I only focus on those who are here and, although I have worked with Erling, it is not right for me, as a Man United manager, to talk about Erling.
“I can talk about him as his former coach, but he will make his own decisions.”
Solskjaer declined to confirm whether Haaland was on his wanted list, adding: “I think the way the world works right now, he would of course like to do all his business quiet and all his conversations quiet. .
“Hopefully we can suddenly sit here with players that no one has written about and that we think we’re going to go.”
With German striker Timo Werner struggling to adjust to the Premier League, Chelsea could use a quality addition to their attack.
But Tuchel would not be drawn to Chelsea’s potential interest in Haaland, instead claiming that his agent was trying to stoke a bidding war.
“I will not answer that, out of respect for the player and Borussia Dortmund,” Tuchel said when asked if Chelsea would speak to Raiola.
“He is a Borussia Dortmund player and of course there is great news around him and his agent.
“And it seems like they are creating a career for the player.
“But still, everyone has to accept, and I will fully accept it, that he is a Borussia Dortmund player. A very promising player, of course, but regarding the situation, he is not in our team, he is not in our club, so no comments. ” about anything else related to him. “
Chelsea have also been linked to a move by Sergio Agüero after Manchester City’s record scorer confirmed that he will leave at the end of the season.
Keeping his lips tight on Aguero’s disputed interest, Tuchel said: “I don’t need to speak, it’s the same, the same answer as for Haaland.
“It is absolutely clear that we have full respect for Manchester City and Sergio Agüero, who is a great player for them.
“I don’t need any words from me on this. His career is outstanding, it speaks for itself and it is not over yet.
“He will continue to help City achieve their goals this season.
“But I will never speak more than that of a player of a rival.” – AFP
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