In a revelation that has intrigued the football world, Inter Milan president Guiseppe Marotta has shared that the Italian club was close to signing Erling Haaland, now one of the world’s most prolific strikers, when he was just 15 years old. However, the potential move fell through due to bureaucratic hurdles, a twist of fate that led the Norwegian forward down a different path — one that eventually saw him land at Manchester City, where he is now an unstoppable force in European football.
A Missed Opportunity
During an interview discussing the club’s scouting operations and transfer history, Marotta disclosed the little-known story of Inter’s attempt to sign the then-teenage sensation. “We were very close to bringing Erling Haaland to Inter Milan,” Marotta said, reflecting on the opportunity that came when Haaland was just beginning to make waves in his native Norway. “We spotted his potential early, and our scouts were convinced that he would be a star.”
At the time, Haaland was playing for Bryne FK, a relatively unknown club in Norway’s lower leagues. His raw talent, athleticism, and goal-scoring instinct were already apparent, and top clubs around Europe were beginning to take notice. Inter Milan, one of Italy’s giants with a rich history of developing young talents, saw Haaland as a long-term investment who could have become a key figure in their future success.
Red Tape: The Deal that Never Was
However, despite being on the verge of securing Haaland’s signature, Inter’s plans were thwarted by what Marotta described as “red tape.” He explained that complications surrounding international transfers of underage players made it nearly impossible for the deal to go through.
“At 15, there were a lot of legal and bureaucratic barriers involved in signing him from Norway,” Marotta noted. “The rules about youth transfers, especially across borders, are very strict, and despite our best efforts, we simply couldn’t get it over the line.”
International football regulations surrounding the transfer of minors are particularly stringent, often requiring extensive legal work and approval from governing bodies like FIFA.
Inter Milan’s Haaland Regret
The missed opportunity to sign Erling Haaland is one that will likely haunt Inter Milan for years to come. Since then, Haaland’s meteoric rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. After leaving Norway, he joined Molde FK, where he continued to develop under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before moving to Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, where he truly burst onto the European stage.
Haaland’s performances at Salzburg, particularly in the UEFA Champions League, caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, who signed him in January 2020. His goal-scoring exploits in the Bundesliga cemented his status as one of the most feared strikers in the world, with his combination of speed, strength, and clinical finishing making him a nightmare for defenders.
Despite the disappointment, Marotta remains philosophical about the near-miss. “In football, these things happen,” he said. “Sometimes deals don’t work out for reasons beyond your control. It’s frustrating, but you can’t dwell on it. What’s important is that we continue to scout and develop young players, because you never know when the next Haaland will emerge.”
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