Manchester City have announced the stunning capture of Erling Haaland after meeting his release clause at Borussia Dortmund.
The Norway international, 21, has arguably been the most sought-after player in Europe over the last three seasons due to his meteoric rise with Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund. The club have now confirmed an agreement in principle has been reached with the deal subject to finalising personal terms.
A club statement read: "Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the Club on 1st July 2022
"The transfer remains subject to the Club finalising terms with the player."
Whilst personal terms still need to be rubber-stamped, Haaland is believed to have agreed a five-year contract which will see him take home £400,000 per week at City, plus bonuses, and passed a medical on Monday.
Haaland has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona this season, as well as Manchester United previously, but opted to move to the Etihad and reportedly struck personal terms with his new club in April. City have largely played without a recognised striker throughout the 2021/22 season after failing to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham as their replacement for Sergio Aguero last summer.
Haaland's arrival addresses this lack of a No. 9 and the prolific forward bolsters a squad filled with world-class talent as Pep Guardiola searches for the Champions League title which continues to evade him in England. Alongside his father, former City midfielder Alf-Inge, the player believes he is ideally suited to Guardiola's style of football and feels the move to the Premier League giants will give him the best chance of sustained success.
Haaland appears all but certain to start up front for the Sky Blues whereas minutes were by no means a guarantee at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Karim Benzema continues to shine at the ripe old age of 34. Despite struggling with muscle and hip issues this season, Haaland has plundered 28 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions while also chipping in with eight assists.
How many goals will Erling Haaland score for Manchester City next season? Have your say in the comments!
Having joined Dortmund from Salzburg in the winter window of the 2019/20 season, the Leeds-born ace has scored 85 times in 89 games for the Bundesliga giants. He leaves Germany with a DFB-Pokal winners' medal to his name but his steady stream of goals has not toppled the dominance of Bayern Munich, who won their 10th successive league title in April.
Having lost Haaland to the lure of the Premier League, Dortmund will have fresh resolve to keep hold of their other prized asset, Jude Bellingham, this summer. The England midfielder has made an astonishing 89 senior appearances for the Westphalian club by the tender age of 18, scoring 10 goals and registering 17 assists. Liverpool are understood to be admirers of Bellingham while United have also been linked with the player after missing out on him when he left Birmingham City in 2020.
