INTRODUCE
The striking sensation, Erling Haaland, has a £63 million release clause in his Dortmund contract(which becomes active this summer) and the German giants have been all over their prized asset to prevail on him to stay with them for at least one more season. He has scored an amazing 80 goals in 79 games for Dortmund since he joined them from Red Bull Salzburg in 2020.
THE INTENT
Manchester will have none of that especially with their failed bid to get English maestro, Harry Kane, last summer,leaving them glaringly short. Guardiola himself has consistently emphasized that his team needs a frontline striker,with all due respect to Gabriel Jesus(a striker), following the exit of Sergio Aguero and that the fact that the team has found ways of playing without one doesn't mean they don't need one. They have thus reportedly swooped in for Haaland.
RECALL
It can be recalled that the 21-year-old Norwegian, Haaland has been the subject of serious interest from big clubs including, but not limited to, Real Madrid,Barcelona and Manchester City; and the player seems ready to make a move away in the summer. Indeed his release clause is a pinch for such a mercurial talent.
Interestingly Erling's father– Alfie– played for City between 2000 and 2003 and is indeed playing a leading role(along with Mino Raiola, the player's agent) in sealing a move to City with his strong relations with the club.
NOW TO IT
Only on Wednesday this week Sunsport reported that the forward is indeed interested in a City move. Just like Daddy, you would say.
Furthermore, a recent report in the Daily Mail suggests that Erling has agreed personal terms with Manchester City in a deal of around £100 million.
Another useful hint is that Erling's father has a former team-mate at City, Shaun Goater(who incidentally works at the Etihad), who let slip earlier this year that a City deal for this hot talent was "so close".
Dortmund's fear
Dortmund are eager to hear from the player what his decision is, so they know how to plan accordingly, but signs are that they won't get the kind of reply they desire. Indeed they preferred to have let him go last summer when he could have commanded a huge sign on fee that would be some kind of consolation for losing him, but somehow the club's interested backed off. Maybe they knew they will get him for cheap the following summer.
CITY FOCUS
City has been working very hard behind the scenes and it seems clear Haaland could be on his way there.
The player has been out injured(muscle related) since the beginning of February and is now close to a return to full fitness.
cheerfully...