Manchester ponder buying Erling Haaland justified their decision to drop Harry Kane.
The Etihad side announced yesterday that they had reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the 21-year-old Norwegian attacker.
It also brings Pep Guardiola’s long search for Sergio Aguero’s successor to a close.
While there are a lot of extras, Haaland’s release clause isn’t as high as you may think. It implies he will cost less than a third of what Tottenham was asking for England captain Kane a year ago.
The Premier League champions expressed interest in the striker but stated that they would not pay Chairman Daniel Levy’s £160 million asking price.
They’re back on top of the table less than nine months later — and have a new No 9 for the next few years.
The agents’ fees and a signing-on fee for Haaland are expected to total roughly £34 million.
However, sources at the Etihad believe they have not had to deviate from their wage structure in order to sign one of the game’s most exciting talents.
That implies he’ll most likely be paid similarly to Kevin De Bruyne, who earns roughly £375,000 per week.
Over the course of his five-year contract, the total cost will be in the region of £180 million.
In recent months, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain have all shown interest in the teenage striker.
But the possibility to play alongside KDB and Phil Foden and under Guardiola was a significant draw for him.
Another huge draw was following in the footsteps of his father, Alf-Inge, who wore sky blue.
Haaland has been photographed wearing City shirts over the years, including a beanie hat during a trip to Wembley with them in 2014.
“City can confirm that we have achieved an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of Erling Haaland on July 1,” City said in a statement. “The deal remains subject to the club finalizing terms with the player.”
Micah Richards, a pundit and former City defender, was overjoyed with the signing.
“What a player,” he said. Erling Haaland is a fantastic signing. “What a statement to the other teams in the area. It’s a fantastic match.” Apart from Harry Kane, I don’t believe there is a better fit right now. They now have a backup plan.”
Dortmund signed Karim Adeyemi, a 20-year-old German attacker, from Austrian champions Salzburg just hours following Haaland’s departure.
