Mino Raiola says he has ‘clear idea’ over transfer for Erling Haaland
Outspoken agent Mino Raiola says he has “clear idea” where Erling Haaland should go next as he prepares to “influence the market”.
The Italian representative has a number of high-profile clients on his books including Haaland and Paul Pogba. And the figurehead, who admits to “loving arguments” is preparing himself for another busy transfer window.
Of course Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland is undoubtedly the biggest asset of Raiola’s, and he is well aware of the stir his transfer will make when it happens.
The 17-goal striker has just returned from injury. But he has scored four goals in the three games since he returned, including a brace in the 5-0 Champions League win over Besiktas on Tuesday.
Haaland does not appear to have been left ring rusty by his six-week lay off. And with the January transfer window approaching, Raiola has once again stoked up interest in the Norway striker.
Real Madrid and Manchester United have been heavily linked with Haaland. In fact former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer flew to Norway in December 2019.
Haaland though signed for Dortmund, with United believed to be unwilling to meet the demands of Raiola.
Whether their stance will change now remains open to debate. But the forward will be available for €75m next summer when his release clause kicks in. And Raiola says he is “clear” about where the prolific marksman should go.
Raiola told Sport1:: “We have clear ideas about where Erling should go and of course we look at what the market has to offer. I would be a bad advisor if I didn’t.
“We can influence the market with a player like Erl. We are not influenced by the market, we know this.
“I changed the transfer market with my players. We consultants have created a second game alongside football: calciomercato [Italian for transfer market]. Now we talk about a game two days a week and five days about transfers.
“Maybe the sports directors hate me. I don’t hate anyone myself. I just do my job.”
Meanwhile, Raiola has come under heavy scrutiny for his dealings. But he has defended his actions and says he has “never sat with a gun on the table in negotiations”.
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Raiola: ‘I love arguments’
“I’m ready to go to war for my players. I am ready to do anything, as I would for my sons.
“The sporting directors hate me? How come? I’ve never sat with a gun on the table in negotiations. I just know very well what value my players have and what the clubs need.
“If they hate me, then it’s the biggest compliment for me. Then I’m doing something well. If they said ‘it’s good that the Raiola advises the player, it’ll be easy for us,’ then I’d have a problem.
“I love arguments. I love it when I come up with a strategy and use it to overcome my counterpart.
“You’ll never see me in a suit and tie. That’s not me. I am fat and short. People underestimated me for a long time and said, ‘What does he look like? He can’t even get dressed properly’. That was my chance. Now everyone has respect for me,” added Raiola.
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