Erling Haaland is set to become the latest superstar to join up with Manchester City, with his move to the Etihad expected to be confirmed imminently.
Mirror Football understands that the Premier League champions have officially triggered the £63million release clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract and have beat off competition from Real Madrid to sign the Norwegian.
Haaland has netted a staggering 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund and arrives in English football as one of the most feared attackers in world football. The 21-year-old is set to sign a five-year contract with City in a deal which will see him earn a whopping £104m.
It is believed that Haaland completed a medical in Brussels on Monday and could be announced as a City player in the coming days - giving him the opportunity to say goodbye to Dortmund fans ahead of the end of their season.
His arrival will mark the end of a year-long pursuit to land a centre forward having spent the entirety of last summer attempting to lure Harry Kane to Manchester. The England skipper’s Tottenham exit, at points, looked inevitable, but chairman Daniel Levy stood firm and City were denied.
A year on and Dortmund have no choice but to accept City’s bid, despite it being substantially below the player’s real market value. Haaland’s impending transfer promises to tip the scales even further in City’s favour as they close in on a Premier League title won without a recognised No.9.
And speaking of No.9s, there will be plenty of Manchester City fans now eagerly awaiting which number their new superstar will take when he signs on the dotted line. Mirror Football takes a look at the options and which he will likely choose for his first season playing under Pep Guardiola.
No.9
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It’s the number which makes the most sense, having earned it for both club and country in recent seasons. His chances of landing the coveted jersey will likely depend on whether Gabriel Jesus remains at the club moving forward.
Speculation has suggested that the Brazilian, who inherited the shirt in 2019, will look to move on, having struggled for opportunities for much of the season. However, after being thrown back into the line-up he has six goals in his last five Premier League games, including a four-goal haul against Watford last month. If he decides to stick around, Haaland may need to put on his negotiating hat to ensure he has the number he really desires.
No.15
Although he hasn’t worn the number during his senior career, it will have special meaning for Erling, having seen his father Alf-Inge wear it during his time at City. Alf-Inge has played a crucial role in securing his son’s move and believes the style of play at the Etihad will help the striker flourish.
The number is currently available so he wouldn’t be stepping on anyone’s toes and would be able to replicate the shirt his father wore all those years ago.
No. 23
Haaland wore the number made famous by the likes of David Beckham, LeBron James and Michael Jordan for much of his international career, before grabbing the 9 last year. He wouldn’t be able to take this at City however, with the club having retired 23 in the aftermath of Marc-Vivien Foe’s tragic death in 2003.
No.30
Although usually reserved for squad players, Haaland wore it throughout his career at Molde and then his two seasons in Austria with RB Salzburg. The 30 has been vacant at City since Nicolas Otamendi left the Etihad last summer.
Other available numbers up to 40: 12, 18, 19, 24, 28, 29, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40.
