Manchester City’s move for Erling Haaland has just ‘small details’ to sort out as the club close in on the signing of the Borussia Dortmund forward.
Haaland had indicated that a move to Manchester City is his preferred choice this summer, with the Premier League champions set to beat off competition from Real Madrid for the 21-year-old’s signature.
The Times are reporting that there are just ‘small details’ to be finalised before a move can be completed with City ready to activate the £63m release clause in the Norwegian’s contract at the Westfalenstadion.
Haaland has scored 82 goals in just 85 appearances for Borussia Dortmund to emerge as the most coveted forward in European football and his arrival at the Etihad will end Pep Guardiola’s pursuit of a centre-forward to lead his side.
Real Madrid had been regarded as the leading rivals to City’s interest in Haaland, though the strength of the latter’s sporting project and a lucrative offer that will make the star one of the Premier League’s highest-paid players appears to have won the race.
Haaland’s modest release clause has seen sides scramble for his signature, though the cost of the deal will rise significantly when payments to the player’s representatives are included with reports that the combined sum paid to Haaland and agent Mino Raola could reach around £40m.
Haaland had been interested in a move to Spain, though City are understood to have persuaded the forward to move to the Premier League now and consider a switch to La Liga later in his career.
Club sources have also said that Haaland’s contract will not upset the current wage structure at the Etihad.
