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John Arne Riise has urged former club Liverpool to sign countryman Erling Haaland or risk him making rivals Manchester City ‘unbeatable’.
Haaland looks set to complete one of the most eagerly anticipated transfers in football history next summer with a departure from Borussia Dortmund a near certainty.
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All of the world’s top clubs are desperately chasing the 21-year-old who has been nothing short of a goal-scoring sensation since breaking onto the scene with Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.
Haaland opted to continue his development at Dortmund when he moved in January 2020, and has since become one of the most exciting prospects the game has seen with 68 goals in 67 games.
A €75million release clause in the striker’s contract is set to be activated in the summer, meaning there’s virtually zero chance Haaland will remain in black and yellow next season, with every top club preparing their offer.
Fellow Norwegian Riise hopes Liverpool will be one of those teams making a pitch, with Haaland an ideal striker for manager Jurgen Klopp.
And he believes the superstar star and Merseyside club are a perfect match, saying Haaland would ‘love’ playing in Liverpool red.
“Obviously I would love to have him at Liverpool, because he’s an unbelievable player,” Riise said.
“He’s in great form, and I think he would suit Klopp’s style of football. I also think he would love Liverpool as a club.
“I don’t know if Liverpool have the chance to sign him, but if they do then please do, because that would be unbelievable for the club – or for any club that signs him!”
One team that has also been heavily linked with a move for the BVB hitman is Premier League champions Manchester City, who have a vacancy up front after they failed to replace striker Sergio Aguero with Harry Kane.
There are also claims that Haaland is a City fan after his father, Alf-Inge, played for the club, with pictures of superstar striker wearing sky blue as a kid.
Riise is already concerned by the prospect of Haaland rocking up at the Etihad, but believes whoever he joins is in for a bright future.
“But if City got him, wow! You talk about unbeatable teams, then that would be close!” Riise said.
“Whoever gets Haaland, whether it’s next season or whatever, is going to be an unbelievably strong team for many years to come.”
Riise was a fan favourite at Anfield during a seven year spell between 2001 and 2008, bombing down the left wing and regularly registering on the scoresheet with his rocket of a left foot.
Norwegian football has struggled in the past, with the country failing to qualify for a major tournament since Euro 2000.
Things are now on the up though, with Haaland supported by the likes of Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard and Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer.
Riise is pleased to see things changing, and hopes to see more of his fellow countrymen follow his path over to England.
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He explained: “Norway has been lacking players in the Premier League in the last few years. Ten or 15 years ago, we had so many players, now there are very few and not many have made a good impression.
“I’m glad that Odegaard is at Arsenal and looking good. Hopefully he will have a good season.
“But we need a few more players up there and challenging and really making a name for themselves, just so Norwegian football can get back to what it used to be, with players playing in top leagues.
“I hope Haaland comes to the Premier League. I hope he comes to Liverpool, obviously, but for Norwegian football it is important to get a player like that in the Premier League.”
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