What Man City have said on Erling Haaland transfer as deal confirmed

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

The player has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League champions in recent days, and the news comes after Pep Guardiola refused to give any updates in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

In a statement on the club’s website, City said: “Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022.

“The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player.”

Speaking earlier in the afternoon, Guardiola had heavily implied the striker would be joining City, but said he couldn’t comment on the matter.

“Everyone knows the situation,” the City boss said. “I should not talk about the future, next season. But I should say something.

“Borussia Dortmund and Man City told me not to say anything until the deal is completely done. I am sorry but I am not allowed to talk.

“I’d love to talk, honestly but I can’t,” he added. “They tell me don’t say anything until the legal actions [are done]. We’ll have time to talk to talk about that, not because I don’t want to, because I can’t.”

The signing of Haaland indicates City could play in an entirely different shape next season, with the Sky Blues not operating with a traditional centre-forward this campaign.

That’s very much the role Haaland has impressed in for Dortmund in recent years, and Guardiola had indicated earlier this season he felt City needed a striker for 2022/23.

“I think the club need a striker, definitely. Maybe I am wrong, but I don’t agree with you. You say we play fantastically well without a striker because we are winning,” the Catalan said in March.

“When we are not winning you will tell me we need a striker and I am naive - ‘how does this guy play without a striker?’. We need a striker and we have one [Liam Delap].”