There was disappointment for Manchester City in the recent transfer window but reports are now suggesting that they are in pole position to sign Erling Haaland next summer, and the Norwegian would surely be an incredible addition at the Etihad Stadium.
What's the word?
According to Sport Bild (via Manchester Evening News), City are the current favourites to sign the 21-year-old forward next summer when the release clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund will reportedly activate.
It seemed clear that City would bring in a world-class striker following the departure of Sergio Aguero at the end of last season but they ultimately failed in their attempts to bring Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Etihad, with 21-year-old Ferran Torres looking like the main striker option for Pep Guardiola until January at least.
Would Haaland be a good signing?
Haaland has truly established himself as one of the best youngsters in world football after his impressive displays with RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.
The powerful frontman contributed 29 goals and seven assists in just 27 games for the Austrian side before earning a move to Dortmund in January 2020, where his form in front of goal has also been exceptional, with 63 goals and 18 assists to his name in 64 appearances thus far.
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Despite being 6 foot 4, Haaland has unbelievable speed and is a constant threat for defenders in the box, which is something you feel City lacked in the latter stages of last season when they struggled to get over the line in the FA Cup and Champions League.
Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann was full of praise for Haaland earlier this year, saying: "Of course, he is an exceptional striker - this is why we wanted him, too. Dortmund got him.
"I think he just scored 25 goals in 25 Bundesliga games, something like that. This is truly extraordinary. Unbelievable stats."
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If City can sign Haaland next year, then you'd feel they will have secured a world-class striker who is capable of playing for another decade at least. He would arguably be a much better long-term option than Kane or Ronaldo, and therefore, after a difficult summer transfer window, sporting director Txiki Begiristain would be redeeming himself by bringing Haaland to the Etihad.
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