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There has never been a soccer player in such demand as Erling Haaland. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may have been the dream signings for all the best clubs in the world over the past decade, and Kylian Mbappé might one day break into that group, but neither of them at the moment are in the position Haaland now enjoys. You can choose any equipment from list A that you like.
Highlights
- Haaland’s latest goalscoring record culminates an incredible first year in Dortmund Why Erling Haaland could become the best footballer in the world Solskjaer does not rule out a move for Haaland
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Barcelona have paid Messi so well over the years and won so many trophies that only now, approaching his 34th birthday, can he think of exploiting his free agent status this summer. But even if you keep going, your huge salaries and demands will severely limit your options.
Juventus forward Ronaldo has also been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid for the best years of his career, until those clubs felt able to let him go. As for Mbappé, the financial might of Paris Saint-Germain will always give them a level of control over the future of the 22-year-old, even if he is a wanted man.
Haaland’s situation is different: The unique combination of the 20-year-old’s prodigious talent and the contract situation at Borussia Dortmund means that he will enter this summer as the player with the world at his feet. It’s the most popular property in the game, and at a time when almost every leading club needs a prolific center forward. Haaland and his advisers are smart enough to know that they can go back and watch the fight to sign him unfold.
In October 2019, shortly after Haaland scored a hat trick for FC Salzburg in his Champions League debut against Genk, his father Alfie told ESPN that every step in Erling’s career would be taken with great thought, instead of jumping at the first opportunity to come. .
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“If you have options, you have to be careful what you choose,” Alfie said. “We analyze the history of the club, the coach, his philosophy.”
Two months later, Haaland turned down a trade from Salzburg to Man United, in favor of Dortmund, due to the development path a trade offered to Germany. Sources have told ESPN that Haaland and his advisers believe the decision is justified and that any future moves will be made with the same long-term perspective.
There is a growing likelihood that the next move will occur this summer, a year before a 75 million euro (64.5 million pound) release clause can be triggered on his contract with Dortmund. Dortmund know they could sell for at least double that amount by the end of this season and if they fail to climb from sixth place to the top four in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League, selling their prized asset can become a financial need.
But where is Haaland most likely to go? Don’t be fooled into believing that you will simply follow the money and sign the most lucrative deal on the table.
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Almost every major club in the world wants it. United tried and failed to sign him last season, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still sees the player he coached as a teenager at Molde as his number one target.
Chelsea also believe they can make a deal for the Norwegian and lure him to Stamford Bridge, while Manchester City, having identified the need to sign a long-term replacement for off-contract Sergio Aguero, is shaping up to be a leading candidate for sign Alfie’s son, who played 41 games for City between 2000-2002.
The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect Liverpool’s ability to compete, but they are interested anyway, while Real Madrid is regularly linked with a move of great value to the player in the Spanish media.
Erling Haaland scored another two goals against Bayern Munich on Saturday. Sebastian Widmann / Getty Images
Juventus have been looking for Haaland since his time at Molde and he could come back if Ronaldo leaves and frees up space on the salary bill, while Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick said that “a lot of things are possible in life, I can’t rule him out., “when asked, after Haaland scored twice against Bayern at the weekend, if the European champions would be interested in signing him.
Sources close to Haaland will not express a preference for their next club, but they know that the interest from all sides above is genuine and that each team offers a different challenge and opportunity. They all have their pros and cons as well.
From the outside, City seems to offer the perfect package. They have the financial strength to make a deal and, with Pep Guardiola, they are likely to offer the best guarantee of contesting the major trophies. City are desperate to win the Champions League, as is Haaland, and it is clear that together they would be a formidable force.
But Haaland is a player with ambitions to play in all the major European leagues, similar to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and moving to City would make it difficult. City simply does not lose its star players, so a move to Etihad would be long-term.
United, on the other hand, would sell the challenge of being the man to take the club to the top by being a modern version of Eric Cantona. United have lost their place among the elite clubs fighting for the biggest prizes, but the commercial value to Haaland of being their star player would be enormous due to United’s global popularity, and that could be a compelling offer, especially if Solskjaer, who remains close to Haaland, continues as manager.
Chelsea could match the money City and United would offer, and use London’s lure to tempt Haaland to Stamford Bridge. Only City have won more trophies in England in the last 10 years, so Haaland would sign for a club capable of winning trophies, albeit one that lacks consistency due to the dwindling lifespan of its coaches.
Liverpool’s downfall in recent weeks could cost them a place in next season’s Champions League and end any feeble hope of signing Haaland, but if he’s tempted by the prospect of playing at Anfield and joining the roster of names club legend, the romantic appeal of signing for the Premier League champions could be persuasive.
MARK OGDEN
Read the latest news and reactions from ESPN FC Senior Writer Mark Ogden.
As for Real Madrid, they can surpass United for their global appeal and star quality. They can also give Haaland a chance to dominate La Liga just like Ronaldo and Messi have over the years. And while his Champions League pedigree is a huge draw, questions persist as to whether Real Madrid can afford Haaland in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Juventus can offer Champions League football and another stepping stone to a move further down the line. If Haaland is successful in Italy, he could head to England or Spain before he is 20 years old.
And then there is Bayern. Robert Lewandowski has already demonstrated the riches that await a center forward prepared to leave Dortmund for the Allianz Arena, and Haaland could be the perfect long-term successor to the 32-year-old Polish international. But just like if he moved to City, Bayern would offer trophies, but they can also expect him to stay for 10 years.
Whichever way it unfolds, Haaland can only end up as a winner. With such a variety of star clubs on its tail, it is impossible to make a bad decision. Sources have made it clear to ESPN that the only factor that will not drive Haaland’s next decision is money. It will be the most compelling challenge and the most compelling story. That chapter has yet to be written.
Source: espn.co.uk
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