Man City transfer: Pep Guardiola confirms Haaland could lead transfer next season
Pep Guardiola embraces Erling Haaland.
According to reports, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has ‘chosen’ his preferred replacement for Erling Haaland as the forward’s ‘future is uncertain’.
Haaland is enduring a major goal drought as he’s without a goal in two Premier League games.
Despite this, the Norway international still has eleven goals in his ten appearances this season across all competitions.
Since joining Man City from Borussia Dortmund for around £51m in 2022, the 24-year-old has remarkably scored 101 goals in his 108 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side across all competitions.
Haaland is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world and is under contract until 2027. However, it’s been heavily reported that he could leave Man City next year amid interest from several elite European clubs.
La Liga giants FC Barcelona are said to be stepping up their interest in Haaland, who has been identified as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski.
Barcelona’s financial problems make a potential deal difficult, but one of their main sponsors are reportedly willing to ‘put up’ around £126m to make a transfer possible.
According to a report in Spain, Haaland’s ‘uncertain future’ has made Man City scour the market for a potential replacement and Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres is their ‘chosen one’.
The Sweden international left Championship outfit Coventry City during the 2022 summer transfer window to join the Portuguese outfit for around £15m.
Gyokeres immediately hit the ground running for Sporting Lisbon and was one of the leading scorers in Europe last year.
After grabbing 43 goals and 15 assists across all competitions in his debut season, Gyokeres is on track for another superb campaign in 2024/25 as he’s got 15 goal involvements in eleven appearances this term.
Regarding Man City’s stance on Haaland and Gyokeres, the report claims.
‘Erling Haaland remains Manchester City’s main offensive reference, but his continuity at the English club is not guaranteed in the long term.
‘The club led by Pep Guardiola is already looking for alternatives in case of an eventual departure of Haaland. The name that resonates most as his possible replacement is that of Viktor Gyökeres, a Swedish striker from Sporting de Portugal who has burst onto the European scene.
‘The possibility of Haaland leaving Manchester City in the near future has created some uncertainty at the club, and Guardiola does not want to be caught off guard by a possible exit of the Norwegian star without a backup plan.
‘Gyökeres, with his physical style and ability to play with his back, seems to be the right profile to fit into the Catalan coach’s playing scheme.’
Manchester City are taking on the Premier League in the most high profile legal battle in football history.
Composite image of Premier League flag and Man City flag
Manchester City on Monday claimed victory in a legal challenge against Premier League financial rules and accused the league of misleading the other 19 clubs (PA)
The Premier League will be left alone to resolve the Manchester City rules row, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said.
Nandy is meeting with a group of top-flight clubs on Wednesday, less than 48 hours after City claimed victory in a legal challenge against Premier League financial rules and accused the league of misleading the other 19 clubs in its summary of the judgment.
Nandy’s meeting, set to be attended by executives from Brentford, Brighton, Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham, is a routine one concerning plans for an independent regulator and will be followed by similar summits with EFL and National League representatives.
File photo dated 06-04-2021 of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. The Premier League will be left alone to resolve the Manchester C
File photo dated 06-04-2021 of the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. The Premier League will be left alone to resolve the Manchester City rules row, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said. Issue date: Wednesday October 9, 2024. (Image: 2024 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)
Legislation to create a regulator is set to be reintroduced to Parliament within weeks, with its primary focus being on ensuring clubs are financially sustainable and accountable to their supporters.
Just as was the case under the previous Conservative Government, the watchdog will leave the Premier League and its clubs to set its own financial rules.
Asked by Sky News whether she was concerned at the in-fighting at Premier League level, Nandy said: “I think there have been lots of issues in football, but the biggest issue that the Government is involved with is the issue about sustainability.”
“The question of the Premier League is a matter for the Premier League and for the clubs to resolve amongst themselves.”
“What I’m really focused on is making sure that we have a sustainable, fair game, from the Premier League which is a great British export, and it brings great joy to people all the way through the Championship clubs to the grassroots.”
“That’s why we’re introducing the independent football regulator through legislation which we announced in the King’s Speech. I’m really excited to say that we’ll be introducing that very shortly.”
The Premier League has expressed concerns that if the regulator’s remit is too wide it could damage the competition, and believes light-touch, targeted and proportionate legislation would be best.
However, the passage of the regulator through Parliament is taking place at a time when the Premier League is arguably facing the biggest governance crisis in its history, with its four-in-a-row champions City accusing the league of misleading clubs and warning of further legal action if new rules on commercial deals are rushed through.
City are also separately charged with 115 breaches of top-flight financial rules in a hearing which is ongoing, and where an outcome is not expected until the new year.
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