Manchester United, Man City, and Chelsea transfer target Erling Haaland could cost more than Neymar if he moves clubs this summer.
The Borussia Dortmund star has been the subject of intense speculation this season as he continues his excellent goalscoring form domestically and in the Champions League.
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The 20-year-old has netted 21 time in 22 Bundesliga appearances, while in Europe he’s hit the back of the net 10 times in six matches.
Last week, his agent Mino Raiola and father, former Man City and Nottingham Forest midfielder Alf-Inge, travelled Europe to court interested parties.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have been visited, while it’s believed similar trips to other clubs will follow as they look to provide Erling with the best move possible.
And Liverpool legend Graeme Souness reckons the striker, who will be available with a £68million release clause in 2022, could go for a world record fee.
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He said in his Times column: “According to reports last week, Borussia Dortmund have put a £300 million price tag on their 20-year-old striker. If I was them, I’d be wanting £300 million plus add-ons for the Norway international.
“I can’t think of anyone in recent times being in such demand, with all the top clubs ready to enter an auction for him. Cast your eyes around Europe and every big club needs a goalscorer.
“In Germany, Bayern Munich are looking for Robert Lewandowski’s successor. In Spain, Barcelona desperately require a special player up front and Real Madrid will need to replace Karim Benzema.
“In England, Manchester City must find someone to step into Sergio Agüero’s shoes (don’t be fooled by Pep Guardiola’s claim last week that City are unlikely to sign a big-money player in his place), Chelsea are crying out for an elite striker and so are Manchester United, while Liverpool want someone who scores more goals than Roberto Firmino does.
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“It’s a perfect storm that could force the price for Haaland beyond the world-record £198 million that Paris Saint-Germain, another club who will be interested in Haaland, paid Barcelona for Neymar in 2017, and it’s easy to see why there’s so much interest in the Norway international.
“He’s quick, has physical presence, great technique and finishes for fun. He can lash them in, pass them in or head them in. All that, at his age, is some package. He’s so far ahead of any other prospect out there.
“I’d even put him in front of Kylian Mbappé, who PSG signed from Monaco for £163 million in 2018. What’s Mbappé learning in Ligue 1 and has he improved as much as he should have there?
“With Haaland, it feels like he’s planned each stage of his career carefully. He’s proved he can do it at Dortmund, a club with the highest average attendances in Europe, and he’s ready for the next step.”
Haaland’s exit could well be accelerated if Borussia Dortmund fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Their chances of making it in took a huge blow this weekend as they lost 2-1 to fellow top-four contenders Eintracht Frankfurt.
The defeat leaves them in fifth position but now seven points behind Saturday’s opponents who sit in the final qualifying spot.
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Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino believes Haaland may not be the best fit for Manchester City, no matter how good he is.
“I don’t believe Erling Haaland fits into the way Man City play,” said the talkSPORT pundit on Saturday’s Weekend Sports Breakfast.
“I think Pep Guardiola’s wide men and midfielders have a certain style and if you look over the course of this season so many players have played in the centre-forward role, from Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva has played there, Riyad Mahrez…
“So I don’t think he [Guardiola] is looking at getting Erling Haaland’s signature as making the ultimate difference to his team.
“Man City play a false nine and they’ve done it brilliantly. Teams have found it very difficult to stop them.
“Guardiola might say ‘I don’t really need that type of centre-forward’, and some people will say that’s nonsense.
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“Well, from what I’m watching week-in week-out, City are playing a certain way and it’s really effective.
“I think Pep Guardiola’s wide men and midfielders have a certain style and if you look over the course of this season so many players have played in the centre-forward role, from Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva has played there, Riyad Mahrez…
“So I don’t think he [Guardiola] is looking at getting Erling Haaland’s signature as making the ultimate difference to his team.
“Man City play a false nine and they’ve done it brilliantly. Teams have found it very difficult to stop them.
“Guardiola might say ‘I don’t really need that type of centre-forward’, and some people will say that’s nonsense.
“Well, from what I’m watching week-in week-out, City are playing a certain way and it’s really effective.
“Chelsea or Man United will look far more viable to me, with the way they play.
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“Probably more so at Man United – they’re screaming out for a player like Haaland!
“Plus, the thing we need to remember here is, and I know it’s not Haaland it’s his agent, but you want players to come and play for you, not tout themselves out for the best deal financially in world football.
“Wherever he’s going, he’s getting a great deal, but managers want a player to come to the football club because you want to be there.”