Erling Haaland remains Manchester City’s ‘main target’ in summer despite staggering £250m fee

Erling Haaland remains Manchester City’s ‘main target’ this summer, according to reports today.

As per The Athletic, the Borussia Dortmund forward is on Pep Guardiola’s radar, despite the deadline day signing of Julian Alvarez River Plate.

Haaland is set to become one of the most in-demand players in the world this summer, with the introduction of a £64m release clause into his contract.

However, though the initial fee is seen as an affordable one for City and other European clubs, the overall transfer value for the Norwegian could reach a staggering amount.

According to Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth, the Sky Blues would have to stump up £250m in total for the 21-year-old if they want to secure his signature in the summer.

This figure is based on the £64m release clause being added to agent fees and the ‘astronomical wages’ required to be offered to Haaland in order to complete the move.

The Dortmund forward has been one of the most prolific forwards in the world since his move to the Bundesliga club.

Haaland has netted 80 times  in 79 appearances for the German side, including 23 goals in 20 games this campaign.

The 21-year-old has prior links to City, with his father Alf-Inge Haaland a player for the club between 2000 and 2003.

Latest signing Alvarez won’t join up with his teammates until July after it was confirmed he’ll remain at River Plate until then.

He is seen as an option across the forward front three, while Haaland is considered more of a traditional no.9.

City will face competition for the latter from teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.