Man Utd face competition for Haaland from ‘desperate’ Chelsea, says Scholes

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 17 May 2021 16:20 BST
• 2 min read

Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes believes the Red Devils and Chelsea are two of a few clubs who could afford Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, believing them both to be “desperate” to land the big Norwegian.

Haaland is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment and has been tipped for a big-money move to one of Europe’s elite this summer.

READ MORE: ‘No need for Haaland sale deadline’ – Dortmund bullish over keeping forward

His exploits over the past 12 months have fired him onto everyone’s wishlist, with 33 goals scored in 32 starts in the 2020/21 campaign alone.

Man Utd are one of the clubs who have been credited with an interest in Haaland, and Scholes thinks they could afford him, though is unsure if the Old Trafford side could attract him currently.

“Haaland’s the obvious one, isn’t he?” Scholes said on BT Sport when talking about Man Utd’s summer recruitment.

“These types of players, will they come to Manchester United at this point? Can United pay the money for them? I think they probably can, I think it’s up to them which club they choose.”

Scholes believes Man Utd, along with Chelsea, will be desperate to land Haaland due to their pursuit of a new starting centre-forward for next season.

“It’s a player United will be desperate for, a player Chelsea will be desperate for.” he continued.

“They’re probably the two clubs that would be able to afford to pay that fee.”

Who will Haaland sign for?

Last week the transfer rumour mill went into overdrive when Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola and his father were spotted in Barcelona on their way to talks with the Blaugrana with regards to the big Norwegian.

Many suspected this meant Barca had leapt to the front of the queue to sign the player, but it is believed that Raiola will be having meeting with all over his client’s suitors over the next few weeks.

Man City remain extremely interested, and will be looking for a world-class number nine to come in to replace the departing Sergio Aguero.

Real Madrid, too, are eager to sign the former RB Salzburg striker, having been blown away by his progress over the last 12 months.

One team who have apparently ruled themselves out of the race are Bayern, who already have Robert Lewandowski up top.