Per the revelation recently by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it will be a busy January for Manchester United as the club makes room for the expected signing of Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, supposedly costing up to £76 million. And part of the upcoming changes is the imminent exit of some players.
The first two players identified for possible selling are Nemanja Matic and Marcos Rojo, and they have been notified by Solskjaer and United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. Their exit is expected to be finalized by next month.
According to Metro, Matic and Rojo will be sold this coming January after rarely appearing in the ongoing season. United has labeled the duo as surplus to requirements and will be sent off to interested clubs.
It is understood Matic will transfer to another Premier League team while Rojo could be heading abroad.
Possibly, such a move by United is only part of the club's intention to overhaul its roster in order to make room for upcoming acquisitions. Solskjaer himself has made clear that at least three signings will be seen in 2020, comprising of two midfielders and a striker.
It is no secret that the player the United boss has wanted to bring over is Haaland, who reportedly has been in talks with Old Trafford executives. To lure the teenager away from Red Bull Salzburg, the destination is said to be preparing a hefty pay package that will be hard to resist.
Should Haaland inks a deal with Solskjaer, his expected weekly wage will amount to £200,000, The Sun reported.
Haaland will also get access to extra incentives like earning more cash for every goal scored and leading United to appear in the Champions League. The teen's pay package is part of the cost that United is willing to pay, which is estimated to reach £76 million.
However, despite reports of Haaland's camp meeting with Solskjaer and members of the United board, a deal with the Salzburg striker is not yet in the bag. Haaland has attracted attention to his impressive run so far that saw him scoring 28 goals in 22 appearances.
Apart from Manchester United, reportedly wanting to get a hold on the youngster are Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, and Inter Milan. These European giants have the intention of snatching Haaland in time for the January transfer window.
One football club that has been ardently courting the striker is Red Bull Leipzig, and the team has confirmed talks have been conducted with Haaland.
"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," Leipzig was reported as saying.
