Manchester City are reportedly hitting the button to activate Norwegian striker Erling Braut Haaland’s move to the Etihad, amid reports that personal terms have been agreed.
The mercurial 21-year-old who has since developed into one of the deadliest strikers in world football is one of the most coveted talents pursued by Europe’s elitist clubs. The in-demand Borussia Dortmund striker has long been linked to the Premier League club and now looks likely to head to the team his father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for in the early 2000s.
Haaland’s remarkable record of 82 goals in 85 games since joining Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020 has catapulted the Norwegian youngster to the top of the international football charts and the £63million release clause in his contract means he is available soon for a cut-price fee with all the top clubs in Europe lurking anxiously in eager anticipation of landing their target.
Haaland’s camp – comprising his dad, Alf-Inge, and the player’s agent Mino Raiola – have already been conducting discussions with various clubs such as Man City, Barcelona and Real Madrid even as they weigh-up their next move.
Allegedly, City have agreed terms with the striker’s representatives to make him the highest paid player in the Premier League with the Sky Blues reportedly prepared to pay him a five-year £500,000-a-week salary that would eclipse Cristiano Ronaldo’s weekly pay check.
The report also adds that the £63million release clause is set to be triggered imminently although Dortmund are denying the existence of any such deal.
City have been holding their place at the head of the league despite playing without a recognised center forward for the majority of the season and former Rangers striker Ally McCoist thinks the likelihood of Haaland joining them would be terrifying for the rest of the league.
He told talkSPORT Breakfast: “From City’s point of view, could that be the final piece of the jigsaw? To be fair, they’ve been doing better than alright without a recognised centre forward.
“I think it is terrifying for the rest of the league. The scary thing is they are not even getting the finished article.
“They’re getting a 21-year-old machine. He is going to develop. He’s got all of the qualities to develop into one of the best ever.
“He’s powerful, quick and clever. Scores all sorts of goals. It’s an awesome signing for the league.”