Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

Man City march towards Erling Haaland transfer with plan revealed that could broker a deal

Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, March 2022.

Manchester City are pressing on with talks over a transfer for Erling Haaland, and they may pay above the odds to secure an ideal arrangement.

City have looked one of the most likely sides to land Haaland of late. Indeed, they and Real Madrid appear two of the most interested sides

Haaland’s ceiling appears very high, and naturally, the cream of Europe have taken an interest. The Norwegian has bagged 80 goals in 84 appearances during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

Despite injuries having kept him on the sidelines for much of this season, he has still bagged 16 Bundesliga goals. That haul makes him the fourth-highest goalscorer in the German top flight this term.

There have been recent reports that Haaland’s injuries make him a potential transfer a risk. However, City are marching on with their interest, per 90min.

That report states that Man City are exploring options regarding a payment plan in the deal. In fact, they may pay more than Haaland’s £63million release clause, so that they can pay in instalments.

The Etihad outfit reportedly have no issues in paying over the odds, but paying a lump sum is seen as a slight issue.

That is in no small part due to the ‘substantial’ fees to be paid to Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, and his father. Dortmund are likely to have no qualms with City’s approach, as it would lead to them maximising their profit.

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Another condition of City’s is that they do not want Haaland’s salary to be more than highest earner Kevin De Bruyne’s. The Belgian makes a reported £450,000 per week.

Haaland’s representatives have previously stated that money is not a driving factor in deciding his next club.

Options still open for Haaland

Erling Haaland Dortmund April 2022

While City are exploring their options, it is not confirmed that the Etihad is where Haaland will end up. There is still interest from Real Madrid, as well as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.

Real, though, are reported to be prioritising the potential signing of Kylian Mbappe.

Should that deal be pulled off, PSG would be in need of a striker. Similarly, Robert Lewandowski is reported to be interested in a move to Barcelona, and Haaland could fill potential fill either of those positions.

With all the reported options, the decision will likely be in Haaland’s hands. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano agrees with that sentiment.

He reports that while City are ‘doing their best’ to sign Haaland, it is ‘up to him’ and he has not yet made a concrete decision over his future.

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