Manchester City’s pursuit of Erling Haaland has taken a significant step forward, with the club agreeing terms with the player’s representatives.
PulseNets understands that a suitable financial package – which would make Haaland the Premier League’s highest-paid player on more than £500,000 a week – has been given the nod.
City are now expected to trigger the 21-year-old striker’s £63million release clause at Borussia Dortmund and, if all goes according to plan, what is likely to be a five-year deal should be sealed in the next week or so.
Last week, Dortmund insisted that nothing had been agreed and added that they were seeking a conclusion with others, including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, in the hunt.
There was a hope the player would extend his contract for a year. But City have remained quietly confident throughout the process and are now closing in on the prolific forward manager Pep Guardiola craves.
The Spaniard missed out on bringing Harry Kane to the club last summer, and despite topping the Premier League, City have at-times looked short up front.
Leeds-born Haaland, who has also played for Red Bull Salzburg and Molde, scored twice in Dortmund’s 6-1 thrashing of Wolfsburg on Saturday to make it 33 goals in 31 appearances for club and country this season.
His father, Alf-Inge, played for City and has been heavily involved in the negotiations.
In March, this newspaper revealed that City were in the box seat for Haaland, who is viewed as Europe’s hottest property, and that personal terms have been discussed.
Pep Guardiola missed out on Harry Kane but could be about to land a top striker this year
A salary in excess of £500,000-a-week would propel him beyond the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, who pockets around £385,000.
Should the deal go through, Haaland could make his bow in City colours in the United States, with the club looking at crossing the Atlantic to play two friendlies in July.
However, his native Norway are in Nations League action four times in June, with their last match against rivals Sweden, taking place on June 12.
