Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is one of the hottest properties in Europe and has been linked with several clubs in recent months as he looks to near the exit door at Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian reportedly has a £63 million release clause with the Bundesliga club, a bargain fee for a player who could evolve into one of the very best players in the world in years to come.
Haaland has scored 21 league goals in 22 games so far this season and over the course of his career has bagged a staggering 154 goals in 198 games. His stock could not be higher, and with Arsenal in need of a striker as Alexandre Lacazette nears the exit door in north London we take a look at the 21-year-old's chances of joining the Gunners.
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Martin Odegaard connection
A sign of Odegaard's growing influence at the club was Mikel Arteta's decision to hand the 23-year-old the captain's armband for Sunday's 2-1 win over West Ham at the London Stadium. His performances have been impressive this season following his £30 million move from Real Madrid last summer.
With just two years' age difference, he and Haaland have grown up together as two of the brightest prospects in Norwegian football and captains the national team, for whom Haaland is an integral part. Their friendship is well known and could hold the key for any Arsenal move for the Dortmund man.
Odegaard has recently spoken of his friendship with the star, insisting that he must make Arsenal his destination should he make the move to England: “He’s a funny guy, he’s a good guy and a good friend of mine," he told Stadium Astro. "A great player of course. We will see what he will do, but if he’s coming to England he needs to come to us, of course."
Lukas Podolski advice
Former Germany and Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has also tried to tempt Haaland to the club, suggesting that the Premier League would suit him and that Arsenal would be a good destination. However, he also alluded to the strong likelihood that Manchester City will sign the striker due to their stronger position within European football right now.
Podolski told FootballTransfers: "Haaland is an interesting player for everyone because I think he has a release clause and there are not a lot of clubs who can pay that. Of course, the English clubs have it and I’d be happy if he got an offer from Arsenal.
"I think, first of all, Arsenal need a No.9. We don’t have a proper No.9. Then, it would be great for the fans, for everyone at the club to make the next step for Arsenal. Let’s see what happens to him. Arsenal won’t be the only club who would send an offer to Borussia Dortmund.
"I hope he’ll be a Gunner!"
Manchester City obstacle
The financial might of Manchester City has been a thorn in the side for Arsenal ever since their 2008 takeover by Sheikh Mansour and it looks to be happening again, with City said to be preparing a £500,000-a-week deal to tempt Haaland to the Etihad.
The appeal of working for Pep Guardiola for one of the top clubs in Europe along with the fact his father played for the club all stacks up in City's favour over Arsenal. The only thing that keeps Arsenal in the race for Haaland's signature is his £63 million release clause, a relatively affordable fee for such a top talent.
This would enable them to speak to Haaland and his representatives, but a City deal is likely to go ahead with a move 'imminent' according to reports in Italy.
