Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not ruled out a new bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland amid Chelsea taking practical steps to sign the goal poacher.

The Manchester United manager has a good relationship with the 20-year-old having managed him at Molde, and it is understood that the Red Devils tried to sign him in the 2020 January transfer window before he ultimately moved to the Bundesliga.

And, Chelsea are reportedly equally interested in the Norway international as club owner Roman Abramovich is said to have produced a ludicrously-large summer war chest which will enable the club to splurge obscene cash on, not only Haaland, but other stars in the next transfer window.

Thomas Tuchel will have plenty of money to spend this summer and Haaland could be just the start.

A release clause in his contract would allow him to leave for €75 million (£65m) in the summer of 2022 and it has led to frenzied speculation about his future.

Solskjaer said: “When you have had kids and players through as a coach, you follow them and I keep in touch with Erling, it’s great to see the player he has become.

“I know he will work to improve all the time. He is a Dortmund player, we wish him well there and let’s see what life will bring later on.”

Asked if any deal was now dead or could be revived Solskjaer said: “You know I can’t speak about Erling, he’s with Borussia Dortmund.

“It’s disrespectful to talk about it apart from I know him and speak to him.

“Who wasn’t interested in him a year ago? Everybody would say you would take the best players in the world and Erling is a top player.

“But for me, we have recruited well. Dan [James] and Bruno [Fernandes] show that the signings we have made since I came to the club have all contributed and added to the squad and that is part of what we have to do.

“We have to complement what we have in our group with other different types of players and also young players. I’m happy with our recruitment model and the processes that we go through.”