Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a grand summer swoop for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, who is also being courted by Chelsea.
According to Daily Mirror, Thomas Tuchel’s hopes of raiding his former employers Borussia Dortmund in the pursuit of Erling Haaland could be met with difficulties as Manchester City have now joined the race. The Premier League leaders appeared to have identified him as their priority target in the summer and are ready to splash £100 million in an attempt to beat other rivals.
The player’s initial contract reportedly includes a £68 million release clause that can be activated in the summer of 2022. Although the claims regarding Haaland’s release clause has been refuted by Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, Chelsea are among clubs willing to wait for another year to get the player for a cut-price fee.
Manchester City, though, could prove to be a thorn in Chelsea’s side, should they follow through with the £100 million offer in the summer. It appears the Citizens are keen on securing their future amid reports suggesting Sergio Aguero’s potential move to Barcelona, although he has been also linked with a move back to his native Argentina.
The Argentine’s current contract at the Etihad runs out at the end of the season, with a contract extension appearing to be an unlikely scenario. Haaland, 20, serves as an ideal long-term option for Manchester City’s number nine position and a definite upgrade over Gabriel Jesus.
Manchester City may even have the upper hand over Chelsea in the sense that the player’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland used to play for the Citizens during his time in the Premier League. The Borussia Dortmund star, therefore, could be drawn to a move to the Etihad over Stamford Bridge, even though Chelsea are set for a new revolution under the newly-appointed Tuchel.
Nevertheless, Haaland’s future largely depends on how Dortmund perform during the second half of the campaign. The Black and Yellows are braced to lose Jadon Sancho in the summer as well, so it remains unlikely that they will want to offload Haaland in the same year.
But, their underwhelming performances in the Bundesliga could lead an absence in the Champions League next season. The financial repercussions that come with it could force the Bundesliga outfit to cash in on Haaland as well, especially in the aftermath of a pandemic that has caused major financial crises for football clubs across Europe. Manchester City and Chelsea remain on the lookout.
