Manchester City are looking to smoothen out their relations with super agent Mino Raiola to step up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland, according to a new report.
The reigning Premier League champions have been showing keen interest in the 21-year-old goalscoring ace for several months, even as they continue in their struggle to try and acquire the services of a top centre-forward to replace their former top-scorer Sergio Aguero, who signed for Barcelona in June.
After failing in their bid to secure the arrival of Tottenham talisman Harry Kane in the summer after an unflinching Daniel Levy rained on their parade, Pep Guardiola’s side are seeking to defend their league crown, besides aiming to also advance one step further in the Champions League, but not without an out-and-out striker fronting their assault.
The latest report is that the Sky Blues are ‘ready’ to sign Haaland when his £64 million release clause kicks in next summer, with the Etihad side already supposedly ‘planning meetings’ with Mino Raiola scheduled for January.
City are intent on improving their ties with Raiola as they try to plot a serious move for Haaland next summer, according to Andreas Korssund.
News has it that Haaland is now desirous of a move to the Premier League as he looks for a new challenge, and that City are allegedly the frontrunners in the heated race to secure the forward’s prized signature.
City had recently emerged as one of the leading contenders to lure Haaland from Dortmund owing to their ties with Puma, who are said to be set on tempting the Norway international with a sensational sponsorship package over a period of four years.
Moreover, it has been stated that Raiola is ready to meet and talk with the Etihad hierarchy in January over a possible switch to City for Haaland, whose father Alfie, is good friends with Bjorn Gulden – the Norwegian chief executive of Puma.
Haaland has been heavily linked with a move away from the Signal Iduna Park over the past year, with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid all vesting their interest in the young sharpshooter.
The Bryne FK academy graduate, whose existing deal runs till 2024, has proved his status as one of the best and most clinical finishers across Europe in recent seasons – having netted 68 times in 67 appearances across all competitions since his move to Dortmund last summer.
While City have also been linked with a swoop for Fiorentina and Serbia forward Dusan Vlahovic, Haaland could prove to be a sensational acquisition should the Etihad hierarchy manage to win the race for his signature.
Credit: Football Tribe Malaysia
