Manchester City is closing in on a deal with Dortmund to sign superstar striker Erling Haaland. The 21-year-old is City’s main target for the summer transfer window.
The financial details of the “Haaland to City” affair have come to light. The Norwegian will become available at the end of the season for around $85 million, less than half of his current market value, thanks to a clause in his contract with Dortmund. Manchester City, Real Madrid, and FC Barcelona are the player’s main suitors but, according to English media sources, City has all but officially won the battle for Haaland.
Apart from his transfer fee, City is also ready to pay up to $50 million as a signing bonus to be split between Haaland and his agent Mino Raiola. And that’s not all. If he joins, the attacker’s wages will be unmatched in the Premier League, according to the Daily Mail. City plans to offer him $650K per week, making him England’s top earner. Currently, Cristiano Ronaldo (Man. United) and Kevin De Bruyne (Man. City) are the league’s wage masters at $500K per week each.
Manager Pep Guardiola and the club’s bosses expect the final decision from Haaland to come in the next month, so City would know how to act ahead of next season.
Haaland played a total of 80 matches for Dortmund over the past two years, netting 80 times and assisting another 21. At the international level, he scored 12 goals in 15 games for Norway.
Odds confirm: City on top
The Sky Blues are the bookies’ favorites to land Haaland this year. City is now at -120 to sign the Viking sensation, with Real Madrid behind at +150. Real has made Kylian Mbappe its priority for 2022, so it’s expected that La Liga’s leaders will drop out if it comes to a bidding game. Barcelona, which is desperate to tempt Haaland to Camp Nou, is regarded as a marginal option at +1000. Bayern is also credited with low chances at +1600, while Paris Saint-Germain now sits fifth in the race at +2000.
Manchester United and Newcastle follow at +3300, then Liverpool is at +4000. The final three clubs regarded as potential destinations for Haaland all stand at +5000: Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Juventus.
Haaland has just returned to match fitness after nearly two months out with muscle problems, coming on as a sub against Bielefeld and Mainz. Dortmund won both games 1-0, without Haaland netting in either match.
Haaland previously spent another two months away from Dortmund’s first-team action after being sidelined with thigh issues.