It seems as if Manchester City will go all out for a world-class striker in the summer, with the latest reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola’s side have made ‘initial contact’ with the representatives of Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland. If he were to join then it could well be the catalyst for Sergio Aguero leaving the Etihad.
According to the Daily Mail, City have made contact with the Haaland camp ahead of the summer transfer window, as the Norwegian striker continues to dazzle in the Bundesliga.
Since signing from RB Salzburg in January 2020, the 20-year-old has contributed a remarkable 47 goals and 11 assists in 48 appearances for Dortmund, which has unsurprisingly seen his value soar to £99 million, according to Transfermarkt.
Haaland has 19 goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances this season and has averaged a superb 7.55 rating for his performances in the German top-flight but it is perhaps the Champions League where he has impressed the most, as he has 10 goals and one assist in just six appearances in that competition, which has seen him average an incredible 8.44 rating.
If Haaland joins, will Aguero leave?
Yes
No
His recent double against Sevilla saw him become the fastest and youngest player to reach 20 goals in the Champions League and the youngster will undoubtedly go on to break a lot more records in his career if he continues at his current rate.
Certainly, when you consider City’s inconsistency in front of goal at times this season, for example in the 2-0 defeat against Manchester United recently, then you could definitely argue that adding someone as clinical as Haaland could take Guardiola’s side to a new level.
However, the 20-year-old “beast” will not come cheap if City do try for him this summer, and that could see them allow club legend Aguero to leave on a free transfer in order to free up some wages to help fund the move, as unfortunately, the Argentinian is not really justifying his reported £230k per week salary.
The 32-year-old’s contract with City is set to expire at the end of the season and, although he has been injured, he has just one Premier League goal so far this season which makes it hard to justify giving him a new deal.
Therefore, the arrival of Haaland could well be the catalyst for City deciding to let Aguero leave, rather than extending his deal, as it is difficult to see him playing ahead of the Norwegian based on the form of both over the last two seasons.
And, in other news… Bye-bye Mendy: Txiki should swoop for £60m wonderkid this summer