Football pundit Adrian Durham has urged Arsenal to sign Manchester City star striker Erling Haaland in the January transfer window.
Adrian Durham has urged Arsenal to make a serious move for Erling Haaland in January, believing the Manchester City striker could help Mikel Arteta’s side dominate English and European football for years to come.
Durham made the bold suggestion following Manchester City’s recent financial verdict, which could have significant consequences for the Premier League giants if their appeal fails.
Although Manchester City have appealed the verdict, Durham believes the uncertainty could eventually convince Haaland to consider leaving the Etihad Stadium, challenging Arsenal to seize the opportunity and attempt to sign one of their biggest rivals’ most important players.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Durham argued Haaland would grace any top club, citing his extraordinary goalscoring record as proof of his world-class standing.
Durham said: “I was thinking to myself, just imagine Man City get relegated to the North West Counties Premier Division…And all those players want to leave. Would any of those players get into the PSG side? I couldn’t really think of too many.
“Then, I thought Erling Haaland would get into any side in the world, his goal rate is phenomenal – and then an idea struck me. Arsenal in January should go for Erling Haaland.”
Why do Arsenal need Erling Haaland?
Adrian Durham questioned Arsenal’s current options up front, suggesting the club still lack the elite centre-forward required to take the next step in their pursuit of domestic and European dominance.
Durham was particularly critical of Arteta’s continued faith in Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, arguing that neither has established himself as the world-class striker Arsenal need. Haaland would immediately fill that gap, a generational centre-forward capable of defining an era.
“The reason is this,” he said, before added, “They’ve been dilly-dallying about, showing a bit of pity on Kai Havertz, saying he works hard, when he really isn’t that elite level striker that they want.
“The reason is this,” he started. “They’ve been dilly-dallying about, showing a bit of pity on Kai Havertz, saying he works hard, when he really isn’t that elite level striker that they want.”
Arsenal should go all-out for Haaland
The 26-year-old insisted that the Gunners should not make a token offer but instead prepare a substantial bid that would force Manchester City to consider selling. He also believes the prospect of joining a team competing for major honours could appeal to the Norwegian international if City’s future becomes increasingly uncertain.
“A serious bid. Not a Luis Suarez bid, the £1 extra that they made all those years ago, a serious proper bid that City can’t turn down and that Haaland can’t turn down. Then Arsenal will dominate home and abroad for years to come.”
He later concluded, “Arsenal lack the box office player…Haaland will be the box office finish that the team needs to be remembered forever more.”
Haaland joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 for €60 million and has developed into one of the most prolific forwards in world football. He has scored 172 goals in 207 appearances for the club, establishing himself as a central figure in their attacking system.
The Norwegian international has continued his remarkable form this season, scoring 10 goals in nine appearances. His consistency in front of goal makes him an attractive target for any club seeking to strengthen its attack.
However, a January move would be an enormous challenge for Arsenal. Haaland remains under contract with Manchester City, who would be reluctant to sell their leading goalscorer to a direct domestic rival. The financial implications of such a deal would also be considerable, even if the circumstances surrounding City’s future were to change.
