Napoli president reveals he was willing to pay €50m for football superstar

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis revealed that in the winter of 2020, he was poised to acquire the Norwegian goal-scoring sensation Erling Haaland from Red Bull Salzburg.

"I was on the verge of securing Erling Haaland for €50 million from Salzburg. The formal offer was ready, but Mino Raiola told me: please, do not attempt to sign Erling, as I have already planned his next move," quoted De Laurentiis by Football Italia.

As a reminder, Haaland eventually moved from Red Bull Salzburg to Borussia Dortmund for €20 million plus bonuses. With the German club, he netted 86 goals in 89 matches and in the summer of 2022, made a transfer to Manchester City for €60 million.

During his tenure with Salzburg, the Norwegian played in just 27 matches but found the net 39 times. Throughout his inaugural group stage in the Champions League, he distinguished himself with 8 goals in 6 games.