JUVENTUS are set to beat Manchester United in the pursuit for in demand striker Erling Haaland, according to Italian reports.
The 19-year-old forward has notched 28 goals in 22 games for RB Salzburg this season including eight in the Champions League.
His scoring form immediately attracted attention from Manchester United, Juve, Borussia Dortmund and Salzburgs partnered club RB Leipzig.
But according to Tuttosport and Corriere dello Sport in Italy, the Serie A champions have emerged as Haalands preferred destination.
It is claimed Old Lady bosses have worked with superagent Mino Raiola to discuss a 25million move, meeting the players release clause.
Raiola has also accompanied the striker to meetings with Dortmund and Leipzig.
But Leipzig chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff admitted despite talks with the Austrian starlet, beating off transfer competition from Europes elite could prove too difficult.
Mintzlaff told Sport: “Yes, we met with him. We are interested in the player, great interest.
“He listened to it, logically, and is very open to a move. He would like to change [clubs] in summer at the latest.
“It is not easy. There’s Manchester United , Juventus , Borussia Dortmund. There are a few other clubs as well.
“Of course, our club also has certain guard rails and limits.
“And I have named the clubs that compete, and there may be salary regions that we don’t want to go into.
“[The fee] is still manageable, but the package does not only consist of the transfer fee.
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“It’s the same cliche again – we can buy everything and we can get everything and we can do everything.
“Unfortunately, we can’t, otherwise Haaland would already be with us.”
SunSport revealed United were willing to offer Haaland a 200,000-a-week deal – boosting his wages by a staggering TEN times.
But it is understood the chance to develop besides Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain will encourage him to make the switch to Turin.
