Erling Haaland to Man City transfer: ‘Confident’ claim, Haaland already given transfer stance

Manchester City have reportedly been handed a boost in their move for Borussia Dortmund’s in-demand striker Erling Haaland.

Haaland has become one of European football’s most feared strikers ever since he joined the German giants from RB Salzburg in an £18million deal in January 2020.

The Norway international is averaging just under a goal a game with Dortmund after plundering his way to 82 goals in 85 appearances for Die Schwarzgelben.

That has led to interest from some of European football’s most renowned clubs with several sending scouts to Westfalenstadion on a regular basis.

Haaland is believed to have a release clause worth around £62million written into his current deal and attempts to extend his contract are yet to be finalised.

The likes of Manchester United, Barcelona and Manchester City have all been linked with a move for the 21-year-old in the past - and it is the latter that features most prominently in the speculation.

What is the state of play with the deal?

At present, it is all speculation and there is yet to be official confirmation Manchester City want to sign the striker.

However, it is believed they will be in the market for a frontman this summer and Haaland fits the bill.

They have been given some hope by reports in Germany suggesting Haaland is open to leaving the Bundesliga club this summer.

Sky Germany’s Marc Behrenback spoke about Haaland’s future last month, saying: “Yes, he (Haaland) is going.

“In Dortmund, therefore, everyone expects a departure. Even in the Haaland camp, one thing is clear: we want to leave.

“(Manchester) City is interested. In addition to (Harry) Kane, he is the top candidate, you want one of the two.”

A report in the Mail on Monday morning suggests Haaland’s future could be sorted within the next two weeks and City are said to be increasingly confident they can conclude a deal for the frontman.

What has Haaland said about his future?

Speaking to ViaPlay earlier this season, Haaland addressed his relationship with Dortmund and his potential next move.

He said “The last six months, I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund.

“But now the club has started to pressure me into making a decision, but all I want to do is to play football. But they press me to make a decision now about my future. So that means I have to make a decision soon.

“I have said from the beginning that I want to focus on football because that is when I am at my best, not when other things come into my mind.

“Now they have put pressure for a while. So it is time to get things started. All I want to do is to play football, but I can’t do that now.”

What have Borussia Dortmind said about their player?

Incoming Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl discussed Haaland’s future in an interview with Sky Sport over the weekend.

He said: “There is an exit clause, it is well known, and there is a deadline. We want a decision as soon as possible.

“We are in talks, but there is nothing more to say about it. We have a very good, trusting relationship. The sooner there is a decision, the better it will be. And I hope it will be timely.”

Kehl also revealed Dortmund are yet to receive any enquiries for Haaland.

What have City said about a move for a striker?

City have had little to say about a potential move for the striker - but Pep Guardiola did recently discuss the need to add a forward to his squad.

Speaking before the recent Manchester derby, he said: “I think the club definitely needs a striker.

“We tried, but sometimes it’s not possible. We are not going to buy one for a number if they’re not going to give us something special.

“I am a guy who is comfortable when we have 14,15,16 players and after five or six in the academy.

“I love to work with that when everyone’s involved. It’s difficult for me to be manager with 18, 19, 20 top-class players with every weekend nine or ten on the bench.

“It’s impossible to handle it for a long, long time. We need a striker and I think the club is going to try. If it happens, it happens, but if it doesn’t, we’ll wait.”