- Nabeel
Reports: Manchester City tight-lipped on latest Erling Haaland stories
Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News has provided the Manchester City stance on the latest stories surrounding the potential transfer of Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund. This follows an exclusive report in the Daily Mail by Jack Gaughan and Craig Hope and a story in The Times by Pol Ballus.
The Premier League champions are reportedly ‘still cautious’ about their chances of signing the 21-year-old, but Brennan stresses that Pep Guardiola's side are ‘undoubtedly’ in pole position for the striker – with sources in both Germany and Spain saying Haaland has agreed on personal terms with City for a move this summer and the club also willing to meet the £63million release clause in his Dortmund contract, according to the report.
The Manchester Evening News journalist highlights instances where transfers have not materialised after seeming inevitable like Jorginho in the summer of 2018 when the Blues had agreed on a deal with Napoli for the Italian's signature only for Chelsea to get the deal over the line after offering more. Dani Alves also notoriously agreed on a deal to join Guardiola at the Etihad in the summer of 2017 before opting for Paris Saint-Germain.
Brennan confirms reports from various sources throughout Europe – most recently, Pol Ballus in The Times – relating to City officials meeting with Haaland representatives last month to work on a deal. The club have, however, refused to comment on whether any meetings have taken place.
Regarding the exclusive report in the Mail by Gaughan and Hope claiming City have a deal in place to sign the Norway international this summer, Brennan writes that the official club line concerning those claims is ‘speculation’ – certainly not the flat-out denials we have become accustomed to regarding City transfer speculation, as seen with then Sporting left-back Nuno Mendes as well as certain Harry Kane stories last summer.
The £100million figure mooted in both the Mail and Times stories factor in the release clause, Mino Raiola's cut, and the signing on fees – and is also suggested in the Manchester Evening News piece.
Despite City remaining tight-lipped on aspects of their Haaland pursuit and remaining cautious about their chances of landing the Nord, it appears, as Brennan writes, ‘there is no real obstacle to the transfer going ahead’.
Written by: @NA1907_
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