On Monday, Manchester City's all-time highest goalscorer in their history announced that he will draw the curtains of his ten years spell at the club this summer. His contract runs out at the end of the season and the scintillating striker has decided not to renew it further. It was emotional for City fans and the football world as a whole to take this news. When Sergio Aguero joined the blue half of Manchester in 2011, nobody assumed he would score 250 plus goals yet he became one of Premier League's best.
With his departure all but confirmed, a new challenge has sprung up for someone to come in to take his sacred place. Manager Guardiola has made a plan to bring in a new striker for some time now even before talks of Aguero's possible departure circulated. That also meant the Spaniard had plans to replace Aguero unbothered by his next decision on his career.
The finality over the Argentine's future now does leave City clear to pursue replacements. And looking forward to someone to emulate his impact will cost a lot of money in the market. However, when you're Manchester City it is not surprising to make a stunning deal from nowhere. According to the multiple reports, the current table-toppers are planning for major spending in a deal revolving around £200m. They have made their task a lot easier by shortlisting exquisite talents that have a knack for scoring goals, a lot of goals.
By so, there is talk of bringing in the Norwegian goal machine from Borussia Dortmund. Yes, we are speaking about Erling Braut Haaland. Having scored 51 goals in 52 appearances for the German outfit, Haaland has already placed himself as the player to shape a generation. The tall strong explosive striker is incredible at pace and precision in front of the goal. He is a versatile and agile finisher. Most importantly, a quick-thinking intelligent forward to someone dare to leave in space.
Such an attacking asset seems to be the ideal candidate to replace Kun Aguero. Haaland's Dortmund contract does not expire until 2024, although it is thought to contain a release clause of 75m euros (£64m) that can be activated next summer. It shoves Barcelona and Real Madrid out of the race at least this transaction window, leaving City to break the bank and fulfill their desire. Although, pricing him away from the club will be a difficult task to undertake.
A few days back, Borussia Dortmund set a price of £180 million if reports from ESPN are to be believed. It further confirms Manchester City's uphill struggle to get their man. Also, the City has never undertaken such a deal before. It is to be noted that Haaland is reportedly demanding a mind-boggling wage bill of £600,000 a week, a significant increase of his present salary cap of £141,000 a week. This is left to see how this deal pans out with a much anticipation building with Tuesday's Champions League clash between Manchester City and Borussia Dortmund.
