Erling Haaland has reportedly told Manchester City he would rather join them than Real Madrid as one of the biggest transfers of the summer makes progress.
Haaland has emerged as a top target for Manchester City in their search for a new striker. The existence of a €75m (£63m) release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract makes him an appealing target.
The Norwegian’s form since joining Dortmund has suggested he would be well worth such a sum. Indeed, with 82 goals from 85 games for the club, his record is phenomenal.
Should any club pay his release clause, they will just need to convince Haaland to join them. That is what Manchester City have been working to do – and their progress has been positive.
Reports have recently indicated that they have reached an agreement over personal terms. Despite this, manager Pep Guardiola has refused to comment on the 21-year-old.
They could be working together from next season, though. In the latest promising update, The Times are claiming Haaland has given his word to Manchester City.
The striker has told the Premier League champions that he would prefer to join them over Real Madrid, another of the suitors for his signature.
Real Madrid look more likely to pursue the signing of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. They may revisit their interest in Haaland later, which City are aware of, but for now, it looks like his destiny is in Manchester.
Man City choose Erling Haaland over Harry Kane
Should they secure his signature, they will end their pursuit of England captain Harry Kane, whom they tried to sign from Tottenham Hotspur last summer.
They could not meet the asking price for Kane, but the fact that Haaland has a pre-determined exit clause means they should be more successful in this pursuit.
As such, the move is down to the smaller details before it can be concluded.
Should the move go through, Haaland will follow in the footsteps of his father Alf-Inge, who also played for City during his own career. He is believed to have played a key part in the current negotiations, along with agent Mino Raiola.
Each will earn substantial commission, potentially up to £40m, for their roles in the transfer.
Reports have indicated that any contract Haaland signs should be worth in the region of £500,000 per week. Making him the best-paid player in the Premier League, it would last, initially, until 2027.
