Why Erling Braut Haaland to Man City would be a massive coup

According to the Daily Mail, Man City have joined the race for RB Salzburg prodigy Erling Braut Haaland, with the report claiming that the reigning Premier League champions sent their scouts to keep tabs on him during last month’s Champions League tie against Liverpool. 

Man United’s interest in the 19-year-old Norwegian sensation is quite well-documented and it seems now that they cross-town rivals have also joined them in their pursuit of the highly-rated centre-forward. 

Both the Manchester clubs will need to fend off widespread interest from several other European heavyweights, with Barcelona and Real Madrid also interested in securing the services of Haland. (h/t Daily Mail)

The teenager’s father, Alf-Inge, had a stint at Man City from 2000 to 2003 and the youngster’s unprecedented rise in Europe hasn’t eluded the eyes of the Premier League giants. 

Erling Braut Haaland has already carved out a massive reputation for himself in the continent with his goalscoring heroics this term and while he has a contract at RB Salzburg until 2023, it is hard to envisage him playing for the Austrian outfit if he continues to rack up such eye-watering numbers. 

The Norwegian international only played a bit-part role in the previous campaign following his move to Salzburg from Norwegian club Molde but he has really come of age this term, accumulating a staggering 18 goals and 5 assists in 12 appearances across all competitions, including 4 goals in 2 Champions Leauge fixtures. 

Standing at 6ft. 4 inches with a powerful frame, Haaland has not only earned plaudits for his clinical finishing with both feet and head but he seems to be a complete centre-forward in the making.

The left-footed teenage hitman has already illustrated a level of maturity that belies his tender years in terms of his movement inside the box, ability to make blindside runs to outsmart defenders and composure in front of goal, whilst his raw power and towering stature also make him a potent aerial threat inside the penalty area. 

To that end, it doesn’t require a rocket scientist to figure out as to why Erling Braut Haaland is widely regarded as one of the most sought-after young talents in Europe and Man City would definitely bag a massive coup if they manage to get their hands on the 19-year-old. 

The Citizens played a gamble back in the summer of 2017 when they splashed £27 million to bring in Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras and that has, indeed, paid off handsomely. 

Despite largely playing second-fiddle to battering ram Sergio Aguero, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength and has adapted seamlessly to the demands of playing in one of the most competitive leagues in Europe, racking up an impressive tally of 49 goals and 17 assists in 109 appearances for the Citizens across all competitions. 

Verdict

Aguero is expected to continue until the end of next season, by which time Jesus will be expected to evolve into the finished article capable of taking over the reins from the Argentine talisman. 

Erling Braut Haaland, though, could possibly add another dimension to Man City’s attack in the years to come.

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Besides his prodigious talent, the gift of technique and vast potential, the towering Norwegian would add that much-needed physical edge to the Citizens’ attack and his commanding presence inside the box is likely to allow the more pacey players to play around him. 

The 19-year-old is only going to get better with time and he certainly has the talent to cut the mustard in any top league in Europe, meaning that the touted £50million price tag shouldn’t be a big problem for cash-rich City.

Man City will need to keep polishing bright emerging prospects if they are to continue their dominance in English football and the acquisition of Haaland would definitely be a massive statement of intent.