Erling Haaland on the Verge of Joining Premier League Giants in Stunning Deal

• Haaland deal with City now imminent
• The attacker is understood to have preferred City over Real Madrid due to Benzema's form
• Pep Guardiola has been operating without a striker since Aguero's departure

Teenage sensation Erling Haaland is now very close to joining Manchester City. Haaland has been courted by Europe’s top clubs and it is now understood that a deal with City is imminent.

The Borussia Dortmund striker has been in fine form in front of goal since his Salzburg days. Many football fans have fronted him and PSG forward Kylian Mbappe to take over from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

His Dortmund contract expires in 2024, but City are understood to be ready to trigger his release clause of approximately 75 million euros.

BBC Sports European Football expert Gullem Balague says that “there is no agreement yet, but they are very close.’’

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Pep Guardiola has been operating without a recognized number 9 since the departure of the talismanic forward Sergio Aguero. Gabriel Jesus has been used predominantly as a winger this season.

It is also understood that were it not for Karim Benzema’s rich vein in form, Haaland could have opted to move to the Spanish giants. Benzema has proven to have very few equals in world football this season with a staggering form. The French striker is the perceived frontrunner of the Ballon d’Or.

Pep Guardiola has been looking for a striker

City have been in the market for a striker for quite some time now. Tottenham owner Daniel Levy stuck to his guns last summer over a potential move for Harry Kane. Cristiano Ronaldo almost joined the Premier League side before a late swoop by Manchester United, saw him rejoin their cross-city rivals.

Haaland has so far scored 18 goals in the Bundesliga this season despite missing huge chunks due to injury. His main objective will be to ensure Dortmund finish in second place. Bayern Munich looks to have wrapped up another German title.

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The Norwegian striker will be intrigued by the plethora of creative players at Manchester City. The services that the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez can offer is undeniable.

Highest paid player in the Premier League

Sports Brief had reported that the Citizens are ready to make Halaand the highest paid player in the Premier League and offer him a five-and-a-half-year contract.