Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly closing in on signing Real Madrid target Erling Haaland, who has a £63 million release clause.
According to a report by the Daily Mail, Erling Haaland could end up joining Manchester City instead of Real Madrid in the summer transfer window. The Premier League champions reportedly have a deal in place to land the Norwegian striker, who has a £63 million release clause in his contract with Borussia Dortmund.
Erling Haaland has been sensational since bursting onto the scene in the 2019/20 season. The 21-year-old has been particularly delightful during his ongoing two-year stint with Borussia Dortmund, transforming into a goal machine during this period.
2021/22 has been a season to forget for Haaland due to a spate of injuries, but he has still made his mark, amassing 23 goals and six assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. The Norwegian striker’s exploits have made him a man in demand in the transfer market, with Real Madrid and Manchester City among his prospective suitors.
Real Madrid must lay down a succession plan for Karim Benzema, even though the Frenchman has been arguably the best player at the Santiago Bernabeu in the last half-decade. After all, Benzema is 34 years old and approaching the final phase of his career. There are few replacements better than Erling Haaland, who is arguably the best young striker in Europe.
Recent reports have suggested that the Spanish giants are the front-runners in the race to sign the 21-year-old. But Real Madrid could be fighting a losing battle in the pursuit of Haaland, with the Daily Mail claiming that Manchester City might be in the driver’s seat.
That is despite some recent claims pointing towards the Citizens cooling their interest in him. The absence of a striker might not have hurt Manchester City much this season, but Pep Guardiola has repeatedly stressed the need to sign a centre-forward. Even though Julian Alvarez will move to the Etihad in the summer, the Argentine might be utilised in other positions.
Haaland is thus an important target for Manchester City, with the Premier League champions now having a deal in place to land him. The two parties have already discussed personal terms, with Manchester City prepared to trigger his £63 million release clause to beat Real Madrid to his signature.
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Apart from Manchester City and Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have also been hot on Haaland’s trail. But as things stand, it looks like the Borussia Dortmund striker could move to the Etihad Stadium in the summer transfer window.
