Reports in England claim Manchester United target Erling Braut Haaland’s father has been seen at the club’s training ground at Carrington as the Red Devils ramp up their pursuit of the in-demand Red Bull Salzburg striker.

The 19-year-old forward is attracting attention from some of Europe’s biggest clubs after a brilliant start to the new season, scoring an astonishing 26 goals in 18 games in all competitions.

While the level in Austria might leave a little to be desired, Haaland has scored seven of his goals in the Champions League – including a strike at Anfield.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows all about Haaland from their time together at Molde and, according to reports in Norway, has tasked the club with securing one of the hottest young talents in Europe.

Salzburg, though, will demand a massive fee for the teenager – who has five hat-tricks this season – and United could consider doing a deal in January and then loaning Haaland back to the club for the rest of the season, report the Metro.

Now The Athletic’s David Ornstein has added more weight to the speculation, reporting that Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, has visited United’s training ground.

The 46-year-old, who has previously rubbished suggestions his own ties to Manchester City could affect his son’s next move, was spotted at Carrington, suggesting United are already rolling out the red carpet.

Any deal could be complicated by Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, who has a rather fractious relationship with United once again as Paul Pogba continues to stall over a new contract.

Alf-Inge famously clashed with Roy Keane during his playing days and was on the receiving end of a brutal challenge from the United midfielder, though has nevertheless talked up interest from the Red Devils.

Speaking to TV2 in September, he said: “It would be nice [interest from United and others]. It is important to distinguish between being a supporter and a job. So, I have a very relaxed relationship. It’s a little different when it’s serious.”

Photo Credit: premierleague.com

Barcelona have reportedly rubbished reports that they signed pre-contract agreement with PSG star Adrien Rabiot.

The Catalan giants are said to have previously signed a pre-contract form with the midfielder which would mean the player is owed money by Barca even if they do not exercise their option to sign him.

Reports claim that the agreement between the two parties comes into effect when Rabiot’s contract expires on 1st July.

But, according to SPORT, Barça are insisting there is no such pact with the Frenchman.

This alleged deal was included during talks between Rabiot and Barça last summer.

Rabiot is out of contract at the Parisian club this summer and would not command a transfer fee, but his reported wage demands alongside agent fees (the player’s representative is his mother) are said to be excessive.

The 24-year-old has not featured for the first-team in over five months with the club refusing to play him until his situation is resolved, with the player seemingly intent on an exit.

Meanwhile, reports in Italy say he has agreed personal terms with Juventus despite efforts by two Premier League clubs Manchester United and Arsenal to sign the midfielder.

Reports in England state that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told Manchester United bosses he wants to sell Paul Pogba as Real Madrid and Juventus intensify efforts to sign the Old Trafford club’s midfielder.

The former Old Lady’s star has been heavily linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu and Turin club. He recently admitted that he was looking for a ‘new challenge’ .

According to the Metro, Solskjaer want to offload the Frenchman so he can reinvest the funds in improving his squad.

United have maintained that Pogba is not for sale and it would take an enormous offer to change that stance, but the Daily Star claim Solskjaer is ready to sanction a move.

The Red Devils have only given Solskjaer a summer transfer kitty of £100million to spend after failing to qualify for the Champions League, meaning they have just £27m left once Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s move is finalised.

But Solskjaer knows his rebuild will cost far more than that, with a centre-back, defensive midfielder and playmaker all on his agenda, and is ready to sacrifice Pogba to bolster the funds available to him.

United will demand in excess of £140m for Pogba, all of which will be given to Solskjaer to continue his summer rebuild, while they also hope to raise funds from the sales of players like Romelu Lukaku and Matteo Darmian.

Solskjaer’s modest budget has seen United pull out of the running for the likes of Jadon Sancho and Kalidou Koulibaly, while they fear being blow out of the water by rivals City in the race for Harry Maguire.