If Borussia Dortmund feel that this summer is the time to cash in on their prize asset, Erling Braut Haaland, then the entire football world will sit up and take notice. Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and even Bayern will no doubt test the water but, with English heritage and family links, the Premier League could be the most likely landing spot for the Norwegian phenom. Of those with the financial means to make it happen, who needs the world’s top young talent most?
Speaking to the English press, super-agent Mino Raiola claimed “It’s obvious that only a maximum of 10 clubs can afford to buy him from Dortmund. We can all fill in those clubs and four of those clubs are in your beautiful country.” Here, we examine the chances of those four, as well as a couple of long-shot options.
Manchester City (current odds*: 6/4)
Man City are well on course to become the first league champions without a striker as their top scorer since the Citizens themselves achieved the feat in 2013/14, courtesy of Yaya Toure’s glorious 20 goal campaign. Club legend Sergio Aguero is almost certainly on his way out this summer and Gabriel Jesus’ tally of seven league goals has done little to convince Pep Guardiola that he is the future of the franchise.
Haaland is, therefore, absolutely everything that City needs. Somewhat surprisingly, given the nature of the Etihad ownership, the sticking point seems to be the price. Danny Ings has been touted as a more cost-effective alternative but, with all due respect to the excellent Ings, the two are on different planets when it comes to market value and potential impact. Expect City to work hard behind the scenes, examining every possible option regarding Haaland this summer. They may, though, find an obstacle just a few miles across Manchester.
Manchester United (current odds: 10/1)
Whilst City have clearly dominated in terms of results in recent years, they are yet to challenge their Old Trafford rivals in terms of brand. Manchester United remain synonymous with English football. Haaland’s father, former Leeds hero Alf-Inge, has publicly acknowledged the United links, commenting that ‘the club is also trying to build something new there’. This perhaps hints that spearheading a long-term project may appeal to his son. If Haaland Jr were to join the rebuild, he would also have the benefit of a familiar face at the helm.
‘You never know how it would go in other clubs’, Alfe-Inge remarked last year when presented with the almost daily rumours around his son’s future, stressing the importance of feeling ‘wanted’ by coach and club alike. A likely extension to Soskjaer’s contract may potentially play to United’s advantage, with the pair having history from a shared period at Molde. Solskjaer has remained committed to Anthony Martial and has invested in Edinson Cavani but if the Haaland deal can be done by the club, he becomes the immediate star attraction at the Theatre of Dreams.
Chelsea (current odds: 4/1)
It just hasn’t worked for Timo Werner in his first season at Stamford Bridge. The aging Olivier Giroud has deputised willingly at times and Tammy Abraham has struggled with both injuries and consistency. Meanwhile, Thomas Tuchel has arrived and instigated a quiet revolution at Chelsea. All that is left missing are the goals.
Roman Abramovic has a history in terms of statement signings. Haaland seems to tick every box, especially considering his outrageous Champion League goal return of 18 in his first 13 games in the competition. Worryingly though, if rumours are to be believed, Thomas Tuchel himself may inadvertently cause Chelsea to miss out on their man. Tuchel’s acrimonious departure from Dortmund has reportedly left the German club’s board unwilling to do business with their former boss. Morals are though rare in football when £150m+ is involved.
Liverpool (current odds: 25/1)
With Roberto Firmino’s form having deserted him, Jurgen Klopp would likely love to use his Dortmund connection to rekindle the spark in his famous frontline. Haaland’s energy and movement would fit in perfectly alongside Salah and Mane. Liverpool have broken the bank on multiple occasions in recent years, with Virgil Van Dijk the perfect evidence that heavy investment can bring immediate results. Whether they would be willing or able to double the £80m outlay on their Dutch defender remains to be seen. It’s unlikely but not impossible.
Tottenham & Arsenal (current odds: unavailable & 25/1 respectively)
Tottenham are currently, perhaps alongside Bayern Munich, the only team for whom Erling Haaland would not automatically become the main striker. Regardless of Harry Kane’s future this summer there is not a chance of Daniel Levy sanctioning a move for the Dortmund wunderkind.
Mikel Arteta’s men have an equally low chance of finding the funds for this deal, although the bookies have priced Arsenal together with Liverpool at 25/1 to land the Norwegian this summer, so perhaps something is brewing behind the scenes at the Emirates! I am willing to state that Haaland will not ply his trade in North London anytime soon and accept the insults if I am wrong.
Leeds (current odds: unavailable)
Erling Haaland is a fully fledged Leeds United fan. He begged to swap shirts with a bemused Stuart Dallas after single-handedly destroying Northern Ireland last September. His dad wore the famous white shirt. Could he? Possibly?
Unfortunately for football Romanticists, the answer is a firm no. Maybe one day…
* All odds courtesy of SkyBet & accurate as of 27th March
