Manchester City agree deal with Dortmund to sign Erling Haaland this summer

Manchester City have agreed a deal with Borussia Dortmund to sign star striker Erling Haaland this summer.

The reigning Premier League champions announced on Tuesday the highly-rated 21-year-old would join them on July 1, subject to the completion of formalities.

The PA news agency understands the player will cost a fee of £51.1million – less than the £63million figure reported in recent weeks – after City triggered his release clause. Haaland is now set to sign a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

A City statement read: “Manchester City can confirm we have reached an agreement in principle with Borussia Dortmund for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland to the club on July 1, 2022.

“The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player.”

The deal will 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 summer.

Haaland, whose father Alf-Inge played for City from 2000-03, boasts impressive credentials having scored a remarkable 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund since moving from RB Salzburg in January 2020.

Speculation linking City with Haaland had been gathering momentum, with reports on Monday claiming the player had already undergone a medical.

Manager Pep Guardiola was reluctant to discuss the matter when he held a press conference earlier on Tuesday but he did all but confirm a deal was imminent by saying “everybody knows the situation”.

“I’m not allowed to say anything until the deal is completely done,” he added.

Confirmation came around two hours later.

With other clubs, notably Real Madrid, having been linked with the Norway international, City feel –