Manchester City have agreed terms with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, The Daily Mail’s Mike Keegan reports.
The lowdown
The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported in March that the battle for Haaland had become a two-horse race between City and their UEFA Champions League semifinal opponents, Real Madrid.
Given that the player possesses a €75million (£62.2million) release clause that becomes active in the summer, it was always likely to come down to who offered him the most attractive package.
And it appears City have won out, securing a striker who featured in the 2021 FIFPro World XI.
The latest
Keegan revealed late on Monday night that City have agreed a £500,000-per-week plus contract with Haaland’s camp, making him the highest-paid player in English football.
The reigning Premier League champions will now move to trigger the player’s release clause following a ‘significant step forward’.
As a result, the move is expected to go through in the ‘next week or so’, with Ornstein following with similar reports that the player has ‘approved‘ the deal.
[freshpress-quiz id=”383395″]
The verdict
This is undoubtedly a monumental signing for City. Haaland boasts a staggering goal record, netting 131 times in his first 179 senior appearances.
This season, he’s bagged 25 strikes, at least three more than any City player, despite only playing 26 matches. In fact, he’s averaged better than a goal per game since he moved to the Westfalenstadion (one every 86 minutes).
City failed in their attempts to sign Harry Kane last summer and have largely operated without a recognised no. 9 this season.
But now they’ve seemingly signed another striker in the elite bracket, for a fraction of the money Daniel Levy demanded, and with many more years ahead of him at the top of the European game.
In other news, a City source has shared a Jack Grealish revelation.
About the Author
