MANCHESTER UNITED have been handed a huge transfer blow after top target Erling Haaland reportedly agreed terms with Juventus.
Italian publication Tuttosport claim the Serie A champions have verbally struck a 6.8million-a-year deal for the talented 19-year-old.
The outlet adds that the young forward has a 25.5m release clause in his current contract with Red Bull Salzburg – which four clubs met.
Both United and Juventus were locked in a battle with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig to secure Haaland’s signature.
Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has openly spoke of his admiration for his fellow Norwegian, who he managed at Molde.
And SunSport revealed United were willing to offer Haaland a 200,000-a-week deal– boosting his wages by a staggering TEN times.
But it was revealed earlier this week that the chance to develop besides Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain has proven too strong.
Haaland is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola, who helped former United target Matthijs De Ligt choose Juve over a switch to Old Trafford.
The 52-year-old, who also represents Paul Pogba, could command a huge 12million fee should the Salzburg striker move to Manchester.
Raiola has accompanied Haaland to meetings with Dortmund and Leipzig, with the latter’s chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff admitting that they are unlikely to beat off competition from Europe’s elite.
He 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.
“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.”
