Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, disclosed that the club was close to securing a deal for Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Salzburg for a fee of €50 million. The revelation came during a recent statement where De Laurentiis shared insights into the club’s transfer strategies and missed opportunities.
According to De Laurentiis, Napoli had prepared an official proposal for Haaland, aiming to bring the prolific attacker to Serie A. However, the deal fell through when Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, intervened. Raiola requested Napoli to withdraw their interest, indicating that he had already planned the next step in Haaland’s career.
Player Profile:
- Player Name: Erling Haaland
- Current Club: Manchester City
- Position: Attacker
- Nationality: Norway
- League: Premier League
Haaland’s move to Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund has since established him as one of the most formidable strikers in the Premier League. His transition from Salzburg to Dortmund and eventually to Manchester City highlights the strategic career moves facilitated by his representation.
Napoli’s near-miss with Haaland underscores the competitive nature of football transfers and the significant role agents play in shaping players’ careers.