Erling Haaland found the back of the net once again, doubling his tally to break the deadlock in the final stages of a tightly contested match between Manchester City and a well-organized Everton side. The Norwegian striker had struggled to make an impact since his injury in November, but his timely return to form proved pivotal.
Seventy minutes into the game, he capitalized on a scrappy corner play to score the opener, barely visible until that moment. However, his presence was undeniable. Then, with just five minutes remaining in regulation time, he capitalized on an excellent through ball from Kevin de Bruyne, who had come off the bench in the second half. Haaland’s goal showcased a blend of power, as he muscled through the defense, and precision, with a strong, well-placed finish that left Everton goalkeeper Pickford with no chance.
Premier League Top Scorer
With these two goals, despite having been sidelined for a while due to injury, he has risen to the top of the Premier League’s scoring charts, tallying 16 goals in 18 matches. This puts him two goals ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, who is currently sidelined, with 14 goals in 20 games.
Moreover, these goals enable him to achieve a remarkable milestone, a feat currently within his grasp alone. Haaland has amassed 51 goals in the 50 matches he has started for City, averaging over a goal per game.
Potential Suitors
Given his impressive statistics and young age of 23, it’s no wonder Manchester City is feeling a bit concerned. Haaland is currently under contract until June 2027 with a release clause of €200 million. In recent weeks, there has been renewed talk of Real Madrid as a potential suitor for the prolific striker. This could serve as a backup plan if their primary target, Kylian Mbappé, falls through, or as some reports suggest, Florentino Pérez may have ambitions to secure both players. Financially, it’s within their reach, as confirmed by LaLiga president, Javier Tebas, last Thursday: “Madrid could sign Mbappé and another player,” he stated.
PSG has also emerged as a contender, especially if Mbappé decides to leave the English club. Haaland would be a desirable option for the French side, and finances wouldn’t pose an issue.
Salary Increase
As a result, Manchester City is eager to expedite a deal they’ve been pursuing since last summer, when Saudi Arabia was also mentioned as a possible destination, aiming to deter potential suitors. Talks have revolved around increasing his salary from the approximately €22 million he currently earns to €30 million. It remains to be seen what decision the player will make. Both he and his father have never concealed their desire to one day play in Spain.
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