MANCHESTER CITY have joined rivals United in the chase for Erling Haaland with the Cityzens ‘expected to hold talks’ with the star’s agent in January.
The Borussia Dortmund hotshot is under contract until 2024 but a release clause kicks in this summer that will allow him to leave for £64million.
The 21-year-old’s 68 goals and 19 assists in just 67 games for the Bundesliga club have made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.
However, The Times claims City could move into pole position.
The Norwegian, whose father Alf-Inge is a former City player, is ‘top of the club’s transfer targets’ after they missed out on Harry Kane before this season.
They will, of course, face huge competition from home and abroad for Haaland’s signature.
Neighbours United have held a long-term interest in the hotshot.
He previously played under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Molde and enjoys a good relationship.
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Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are keen but it appears City have the advantage with discussions over a potential move in 2022 due to start in January between agent Mino Raiola and the Premier League champions.
The super-agent and Alf-Inge previously travelled to Spain in April together to have talks with Real Madrid and Barcelona over Haaland’s future.
This latest report states Haaland’s father ‘still possesses a strong network of contacts in Manchester’ and that he is also ‘good friends with Bjorn Gulden’ – the Norwegian chief executive of City’s kit supplier Puma.
The sports manufacturer is tied into a deal with City until 2029 and ‘intends to sign Haaland when his endorsement contract with Nike ends’ at the start of the new year.
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