Inter Milan chief Beppe Marotta has handed Manchester United and Real Madrid a boost in their pursuits of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland.
The 21-year-old remains one of the hottest properties on the market, and an intense war for his services is expected to commence when his £68m release clause kicks in next summer.
Man United and Real Madrid are thought to be two of the frontrunners for Haaland's signature, and Inter director Marotta has now conceded that the striker will "absolutely" not end up in Serie A.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marotta said: "One of my biggest regrets was a deal for Haaland. I was CEO at Juventus and we had the opportunity to sign him for €2m (£1.7m) from Molde.
"We were close. Now it is impossible to see Haaland playing in Serie A. Italian clubs have absolutely no chance of signing him next summer."
Paris Saint-Germain are also being linked with a move for Haaland as they prepare for life without Kylian Mbappe, who seems set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
Ben Knapton
