Manchester City are ‘confident’ of beating Real Madrid to the signing of Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland.
Haaland has emerged as the leading transfer target for the Premier League champions this summer and ESPN are reporting that there is optimism that City can beat off competition from across Europe to secure his signing.
The 21-year-old’s €75m release clause will become active at Dortmund at the end of the season and City believe their financial package – including wages and fees to Haaland’s representatives – can see off interest from Spain.
Pep Guardiola’s side raised funds through the sale of Ferran Torres to Barcelona in January and further income from the departures of Angelino and Jack Harrison have provided resources to conclude a deal.
Real Madrid are understood to be the main competitors for Haaland’s signature, though the Spanish giants are focused primarily on securing the free transfer arrival of Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe has failed to sign a new deal at PSG and is expected to complete a move to the Bernabeu at the end of the campaign, after the Spaniards saw several offers rejected for the forward last summer.
Real are not in a financial position to match City’s offer to Haaland, but remain interested in the Norwegian and will wait on his decision before pursuing alternative targets.
Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni – who has been linked with several Premier League sides – is also on the club’s radar for the summer, alongside Mbappe.
One potential stumbling block in Haaland’s move to the Premier League is the desire for a release clause in his contract at the Etihad, though this is not believed to be prohibitive to a deal being concluded.
Haaland has scored 80 goals in just 82 appearances for Borussia Dortmund since arriving from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
