According to German news outlet Bild (via Sport Witness), Manchester City are edging closer to the signing of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
The lowdown: Hot property
Since making the move from Red Bull Salzburg to the Bundesliga, the 21-year-old frontman has scored 82 goals and provided 23 assists in just 85 appearances for Dortmund.
Unsurprisingly, Haaland has rapidly become one of the most sought after players in European football with City, Real Madrid and Barcelona all reported to be desperate to land the Norwegian phenomenon.
Now as a fresh update emerges from Germany, it appears that the Citizens could be the frontrunners…
The latest: ‘Green light’
As per the report from Bild, translated by SW, it’s claimed that the 17-cap Norway superstar ‘wants to go’ in the summer.
The report states that Pep Guardiola has given the ‘green light’ to the move as the Spaniard attempts to further bolster the attacking department at the Etihad with a recognised centre-forward.
Despite the City manager approving the switch, the deal is currently said to be ‘stuck’ due to the negotiations over compensation for Alf-Inge Håland and agent Mino Raiola.
The verdict: At all costs
Signing the man hailed as ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola at the mooted €75m (£62m) release clause would be a superb piece of business in terms of value for money.
Already a proven goalscorer at the elite level, Haaland has scored 25 times in 26 outings across all competitions this season despite missing 16 matches through injury.
Overall, during the 2021/22 Bundesliga campaign, the Norwegian has earned an outstanding 7.69 average rating, scoring once every 87 minutes, taking 3.3 shots per game and winning 60% of his aerial duels (Sofascore).
Under Guardiola this term City have operated either without a central frontman or with a false nine on occasion, therefore, adding an archetypal focal point style striker such as Haaland to the squad would see the Spaniard implement an exciting change in style for the 2022/23 season.
In other news: Spanish source makes exciting transfer claim involving City! Find out more here.
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