Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has recalled almost signing Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

De Laurentiis was keen to sign Haaland when he was with RB Salzburg.

He said at the FT's Football Business Summit: "I remember when I discovered Haaland, for me he was a great player when my directors were all worried because they didn't know him yet. He was at Salzburg, I wanted to buy him for 50 million (euros).

"Then Mino Raiola took me into a living room and told me: 'Look, don't tell me these things, we're friends. I've already taken care of Haaland, don't worry, don't get involved'.

"I stopped him and the negotiation stopped there. He had already organized everything and covered his benefits. Raiola was professionally impeccable but pursued his interests, not those of the clubs. If clubs are in debt they need to wake up."