Manchester City are the frontrunners in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland, with executives meeting with the Norwegian’s representatives.
The 21-year-old has been at the center of a tumultuous transfer saga in which he has been linked with a number of European powerhouses ahead of a possible summer move.
Real Madrid are said to be strong contenders in the race, but with the striker’s ostensibly low £62 million release clause, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Manchester United are all still interested.
After failing to sign Tottenham’s Harry Kane last summer, Pep Guardiola is reportedly looking to add a forward with a killer instinct to his squad.
According to a new Goal.com report, City has emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Haaland.
Txiki Begiristain and other City executives are said to have recently met with the Norwegian’s representatives to discuss a possible move, with the youngster currently earning a reported £132,000 per week.
With money irrelevant because of his low release clause, Haaland’s decision will be based on personal preference, and it is claimed that a coach like Guardiola is a major selling point in his decision.
While City have not struggled to score goals, as evidenced by their huge goal difference, Haaland would be an excellent addition to Guardiola’s squad, given the Premier League champions’ lack of out-and-out center-forward options.
The 21-year-old has scored 80 goals in 80 games for the German club, and his consistency will provide City with an attacking alternative to what we have come to expect with the Catalan in charge.
Virgil van Dijk has backed up this rhetoric, comparing the striker to Jamie Vardy due to his “quick” and “direct” nature – a frightening prospect in City’s attacking ranks.
