In an exclusive report in the Daily Mail by top Manchester City journalist Jack Gaughan and colleague Craig Hope, it is reported that the Premier League champions have a deal in place to sign the prodigious Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer.
Sources in Germany close to the move have reportedly told the Mail they now expect the striker to choose a move to the Etihad Stadium, with personal terms having been discussed and the framework for a transfer ready to be signed off by the club's officials.
According to the report, the 21-year-old has a £63million release clause in his Dortmund contract, and it is expected that this cost factored in with the sum Mino Raiola is expected to earn, plus signing on fees is likely to take the total outlay ‘towards £100m’.
Real Madrid are said to be City's most significant rival for the Nord's signature, despite Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain showing interest, with Los Blancos expected to continue fighting for the striker. However, the journalists claim that there is a growing expectation across Europe that the 80 goals in 79 appearances for Dortmund forward will line up at City next season.
It is noted that the Haaland family share an affinity with the club after Erling's father, Alfie, spent three years in Manchester from 2000/01 – captaining the side from time to time, before suffering a leg break which limited his playing. City would keep Haaland through his rehabilitation.
Following the news breaking on social media, former Norweigan footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft, who is widely believed to have close contacts with team Haaland, appeared to cool speculation by quote-tweeting over the story that there was ‘NOTHING new to report’.
Pulling off a move for Haaland will undoubtedly go some way to filling the chasm left by the departure of Sergio Aguero – and given the City connection within the family, it feels like it is meant to be.
Written by: @NA1907_
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