Manchester City have reportedly taken a step closer to signing Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, with the striker approving the move.
According to The Athletic, Manchester City are inching closer to landing their priority transfer target Erling Haaland in the summer. The 21-year-old striker has given the green light over a transfer to the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland has become one of the most sought-after centre-forwards in Europe due to his goalscoring exploits. The Norwegian had several big clubs battling for his signing in 2020 but opted to sign for Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg. Haaland has continued to raise eyebrows with his performances at Signal Iduna Park, amassing a tally of 83 goals in just 85 games.
Haaland’s prolific nature in front of the goal, coupled with his £63 million release clause, have made him a man in demand in the transfer market. Barcelona and Real Madrid have long been vying to sign the former Molde and Red Bull Salzburg starlet, while Manchester United were also interested.
However, as things stand, it seems like Haaland would be joining Manchester City in the summer transfer window. Reports earlier in the week claimed that the striker had already agreed a contract worth over £500,000-a-week, which would make him the highest-paid footballer in the Premier League.
? Erling Haaland understood to have approved Man City move & initial personal terms agreed. Still work to do on contract, payment to Dortmund, agent commission etc so not yet closed & will take time @TheAthleticUK (follows @MikeKeegan_DM scoop) #MCFC #BVB https://t.co/WabQnU56PS
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) April 19, 2022
Jan Aage Fjortoft, who is close to Haaland’s camp, shot down these claims. But The Athletic is now claiming that the Borussia Dortmund striker has given his approval over a summer transfer to Manchester City.
The report states that Haaland’s representatives have agreed initial personal terms with the Premier League champions. But the deal is not finalised yet, as the Cityzens are yet to trigger the £63 million release clause in his contract with Borussia Dortmund. They also need to figure out the agent commissions and the finer details of his contract.
A move to England would be a sort of a homecoming for Haaland, who was born in Leeds. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, had stints at Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City as well. And the 21-year-old looks poised to follow in the footsteps of his father by signing for the Cityzens.
Also Read: Three strikers Manchester City could target in the summer
Manchester City have been in the market for a new striker since last summer after letting Sergio Aguero leave. Having pursued Harry Kane, Manchester City could not close the deal for the Tottenham Hotspur superstar. They will be hoping to avoid a similar situation with Haaland and get the transfer over the line at the earliest.
