Bayern Munich held talks with Norway sensation Erling Haaland this summer before Manchester City won the race for his sought-after signature. That's according to Bayern sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, after the Bundesliga giants sold their own goal machine, Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona.
Haaland, 22, continues to set the Premier League alight following his blockbuster move from Borussia Dortmund as the 10-goal frontman underlines that £51million swoop as a bargain. City have already watched Haaland grab back to back hat-tricks and the 21-cap international has, also, broken two early-season records.
Having initially forged his reputation with Norwegian and Austrian clubs, Haaland touched down in Germany during the January transfer window in 2020 — when Manchester United were interested — and netted 85 goals in 88 outings for Dortmund in all competitions.
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His form in Germany prompted Pep Guardiola to come calling and it looks as though Haaland could repay City with record numbers this season. Had things turned out differently, though, the 22-year-old might have become the next prospect to swap Dortmund for Bayern and bridge that cross-Bundesliga divide.
Salihamidzic told Sky Germany: "We were in talks, but it became clear that things might not work out that way for both sides. That's why he's at Manchester City now and that's why we have other players."
After winning a fourth title in five seasons, City freshened up their squad by signing Stefan Ortega, Manuel Akanji, Sergio Gomez, Kalvin Phillips and Haaland during the summer transfer window. As for Bayern, meanwhile, their five summer recruits included Matthijs de Ligt and former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane.
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