Manchester United to rival Real Madrid for Erling Haaland

Manchester United will lock horns with Real Madrid for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland this summer, claims ESPN.

Haaland only joined Borussia Dortmund in January and turned down United in order to sign for the Bundesliga outfit.

United, meanwhile, are adamant they walked away from discussions for the Norway international due to the demands made by the player's agent, Mino Raiola.

Haaland has only made nine league appearances for Dortmund but is already expected to make a high profile move away at the end of the season.

The 19-year-old has developed into the most sought after striker in the world this season after his devastating goalscoring displays for Salzburg and now Dortmund.

Raiola reportedly insisted on a £63M release clause and it played a major role in United backing out of a deal to sign the teenager.

Despite Haaland's association with Raiola, who also represents Paul Pogba and works closely with Jesse Lingard, United have not ended their interest in the Dortmund striker.

Real Madrid have been heavily linked with a summer move for Haaland due to his release clause and it has now emerged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side intend to rival them for his signature.

United were convinced at one stage Haaland would move to Old Trafford in January but it remains to be seen whether they can get one over on Madrid.

It's also unclear what conditions Raiola will impose on any move to United in regards to a release clause and the news comes within 24 hours of the Red Devils being linked with another of his clients, Matthijs de Ligt.

Haaland scored a hat-trick on his Dortmund debut and racked up nine goals in eight league appearances for the club before football was suspended.

In his maiden Champions League campaign, Haaland finished with 10 goals in eight appearances - only Robert Lewandowski (11) has more.