Udinese scouting chief Carnevale: Haaland deal was close; I signed Handanovic after he conceded three goals

Udinese scouting chief Andrea Carnevale admits they had the chance to sign Erling Haaland as a teen.

Carnevale admits they were in talks to sign the Manchester City star when he was a junior in Norway.

He told TV Play: "I had seen him when he was 15 in Norway and he already cost a few million.

"He had great potential. He had strength, talent. Then he started scoring a lot of goals, we negotiated, but the price grew too much and we gave up."

On the signing of Samir Handanovic, now retired at Inter Milan, Carnevale added: "He had physical problems, but in the end everything was resolved. I had to insist on having him signed. It was a great satisfaction.

"I saw him with Slovenia: he didn't even make a save and conceded three goals, but yes moved well and seemed confident."