Any hopes Man Utd had of activating Erling Haaland’s release clause this summer have been dashed by reports suggesting it doesn’t come into play until 2022.

The Norwegian strike is on an impressive upward trajectory, having shot to prominence in his breakthrough season at Red Bull Salzburg before earning a move to Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland opted to move to Germany to continue his development, snubbing United and Real Madrid in the process, but their interest still remains.

Both clubs are said to be keen on signing Haaland at the end of the season, and offering Dortmund an immediate profit on their initial £20m outlay on the striker.

Key to the negotiations were rumours Haaland’s Dortmund contract contained a £65m release clause, which United and Madrid were looking to utilise to their advantage.

But German publication Bild (via ESPN ) report Haaland’s clause will only come into effect in two summers time.

Interested clubs would therefore likely have to break the bank to sign the 19-year-old in the meantime.

From Dortmund’s perspective they are set for either a huge cash windfall if they decide to sell, or the prospect of Haaland’s value rising if he continues to produce the goods on the field.

There’s also nothing stopping Dortmund offering Haaland improved terms in a bid to remove the clause further down the line.

One danger of course is that Haaland moves on for a perceived bargain if he is worth more than £65m come 2022.

By that time though Dortmund will still have made a significant profit on the youngster, with the total of their original deal worth £35m including all add-ons and bonuses.