If the current reports are to be believed, Manchester City are currently in pole position to sign Borussia Dortmunds striker Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window. While City boss Pep Guardiola has been tight-lipped on the transfer, the current feeling among journalists is that a deal has already been agreed. Haaland is seen as one of the hottest prospects in world football and has set the Bundesliga and the Champions League alight with some brilliant performances.
While Haaland's talent is undeniable, there have been some concerns raised over the 21-year-old's injury record. This season he's missed several games due to injury, and some reports suggest he may be delaying treatment until after securing his transfer. He missed fourteen games last season and will miss at least nineteen this season.
Manchester City's signing of Haaland would be a major gamble considering his recent injuries and the cost of the deal. Like in the casino, football clubs need to carefully manage risk when they sign new talent. Whether you're a player or a supporter that enjoys playing online, we have compiled this comprehensive list of the best ones to help you decide which is best for you.
Is Haaland Coming to the City?
City and Real Madrid have been touted as the most likely destinations for Haaland, with Barcelona's name also being mentioned by some journalists over the last few months. As it stands, Real Madrid look to be bringing in Kylian Mbappe from PSG, which would theoretically make City favourites to sign the Norwegian. This season, Haaland has scored 25 goals from 26 appearances for Dortmund, making him an elite player in terms of output.
While City have refused to comment on whether Haaland is a target, the €75 million release clause makes him an attainable transfer. So far, Guardiola has also refused to comment on the situation. "I have no answer to your question," he said when asked on Tuesday. "I have no concern about what will happen in this club next season. We are playing with good strikers, and for many years I never talk about transfers, especially when we are playing for this season.
What Are the Alternative Options?
Last summer, Manchester City were keen to bring in a new centre forward, especially with Aguero joining Barcelona. Several targets were identified, but Guardiola was most interested in bringing in Harry Kane from Tottenham. Kane has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League for several seasons now and would instantly improve the team. Unfortunately, his contract situation means that he's unlikely to be able to join with Tottenham being unwilling to negotiate.
Man City never placed an official bid for Kane after being told that his price tag would be over £100 million. Considering his age and the fact that he still has several years left on his contract, it's unlikely that he'll still be on the shortlist of transfer targets for this summer. Instead, City may look for other targets from outside the league, as these are likely going to be easier to sign.
Lewandowski is another potential target that could be on the cards this summer. Although the forward is still under contract at Bayern Munich, there have been reports that he's unhappy and is looking for a new challenge in his career. Lewandowski would be an excellent signing, with close to 300 goals in the Bundesliga. His current contract ends in 2023, and he's looking for a bigger deal from Bayern as he comes towards the end of his career. If City could offer him better terms, he might be tempted to play under Guardiola once again.