Premier League is Haaland’s destiny

Norweigan striker Erling Braut Haaland has scored 49 goals in 49 games for Borussia Dortmund since moving to Germany from Red Bull Salzburg last January. Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all said to be keen on the player, who has a contract at Dortmund until 2024 although there is a release clause that can be activated next summer.

Haaland's father Alf Inge, who played for Manchester City, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest in his career, was asked earlier in the year about his son joining United in the near future.

“Manchester United have achieved great success in recent years. The club is also trying to build something new there. But to draw a comparison now is not so easy because Erling is already playing in Dortmund. These are two very traditional clubs with a large fan base and a glorious history. Manchester United is a very proud club, just like Dortmund in Germany.”

Alf Inge Haaland tackled by Manchester United's Paul Scholes in 1996 (©AFP)

Alf Inge has said in the past that any move for his son should be based on clubs as opposed to managers. After Erling's move to Dortmund, he said that footballers need to look at the bigger picture rather than just listen to the coach that wants them. Things tend to change in football.

“You never know how it would go with other clubs. It may well have been good, too, if we had chosen a different route. We’ll never get an answer to that. But we are very happy with the clubs he has been in. You have to go to a club where the whole club wants you, not just the coach. I think that’s the most important thing, in addition to how the club has been over the last five or ten years and what direction they’ve taken. It’s dangerous to just sign for a coach because he can suddenly be sacked.”

That may, therefore, rule out a move to Chelsea who have a tendency to change managers on a fairly regular basis. However, Blues fans should not give up hope just yet as Alf Inge says that his son does have ambitions of playing in the Premier League at some stage in his career.

"At one stage he would like to play in the Premier League, but when that will happen, I don’t know. It is a very tough league. Up to now he is ahead of the stage we thought he would be at. He is built for the Premier League, but whether that will happen now or at a later stage, we don’t know."

Impatient Haaland will leave Dortmund if they fail to qualify for the Champions League...

Erling Haaland has remained tightlipped over the past couple of months when asked about his future, but talk about his next move is set to continue as clubs circle to Dortmund, eyeing up one of the world's hottest talents.