I can’t talk until Erling Haaland deal is ‘completely done’, says Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has appeared to confirm Manchester City are closing in on a deal for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.

Reports on Monday claimed the Norway international had already undergone a medical after agreeing personal terms with the Premier League champions.

It is now anticipated the 21-year-old will sign a five-year contract to move to the Etihad Stadium for the start of next season once City formally trigger his £63million release clause.

Everybody knows the situation, but I'm not allowed to say anything until the deal is completely done- Pep Guardiola

City have not officially commented on the reports, but manager Guardiola did not deny the transfer was imminent when he held a press conference on Tuesday.

Guardiola said: “Everybody knows the situation, but I should not talk because I do not like to talk about the future, next season.

“At the same time I should say something, but Borussia Dortmund and Man City told me I’m not allowed to say anything until the deal is completely done, so I cannot talk. I’m sorry. We’ll have time to talk.”

Asked further about the matter, the Spaniard said: “I would love to talk, honestly, but I can’t. They tell me don’t say anything (because of) the legal actions or the legal situation.

“We’ll have time to talk about that. (It’s) not because I don’t want but because I can’t.”

Haaland, whose father Alf-Inge played for City from 2000-03, is one of the most coveted players in the game, having scored 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund since moving from RB Salzburg in January 2020.

His signing would end City’s long search for a specialist centre forward, having failed in a high-profile attempt to prise Harry Kane away from Tottenham after Sergio Aguero left the club last