RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff has suggested that the Bundesliga title challengers are struggling to compete in the race to sign Red Bull Salzburg forward Erling Braut Haaland.
Having starred in the Champions League this season, Haaland is being tipped to join a bigger club during the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old is known to have held discussions with a number of clubs, including Leipzig and United, while Borussia Dortmund have also been heavily linked with an approach for the Norway international.
While Mintzlaff has acknowledged that talks have been held with the youngster, he hinted that he was not optimistic about concluding a deal.
Mintzlaff told Sport1: "Yes, we met with him. We are interested in the player, great interest. He listened to it, logically, and is very open to a move. He would like to change in summer at the latest.
"It is not easy. There's Manchester United, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund. There are a few other clubs as well. Of course, our club also has certain guard rails and limits. And I have named the clubs that compete, and there may be salary regions that we don't want to go into. The fee is still manageable, but the package does not only consist of the transfer fee.
"It's the same cliche again: we can buy everything and we can get everything and we can do everything. Unfortunately, we can't, otherwise Haaland would already be with us."
Due to a release clause, any interested club will be required to pay £17m for the player.
Darren Plant
