Man City targeting Robert Lewandoski swoop which could see Man United miss out on Haaland

Manchester City face a race against time to finalise a deal for a striker before the transfer window slams shut on August 31. 

Pep Guardiola’s side have been linked with Harry Kane relentlessly throughout the summer, and were also believed to be interested in both Romelu Lukaku and Erling Braut Haaland.

The £100 million signing of former Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish may have excited fans, but it did little to appease the club’s need for a striker, something that was highlighted by the defeats to both Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the opening week of the season.

As Spurs chairman Daniel Levy continues to hold firm on Kane, it appears that City could be starting to look elsewhere.

According to the Daily Express, Guardiola’s side are undeterred by the £100 million price tag slapped on Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski, and may make an offer for the player in the coming days.

The report says that City may see the opportunity to sign Lewandowski as too good to miss out on, especially if talks over Kane remain unproductive.

However, a potential City move for Lewandowski could have a big impact on cross-city rivals United.

If the Polish striker does depart Bayern, the reigning German champions would have to look elsewhere for his replacement, and Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland stands out as the prime candidate.

Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller’s record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga season last term.

This would leave United with a much tougher task in their pursuit of the Norway international, as Bayern would provide stiff competition for the 21-year-old’s signature.

Haaland scored 41 times in 41 games last season for Dortmund, and now has 60 goals in 60 appearances for the club.

That form has made him one of the most coveted talents in Europe, with the likes of City, Chelsea and Paris-Saint German all heavily linked with the forward.

With less than two weeks of the window remaining and City still searching urgently for a goalscorer, Lewandowski could well prove to be the most suitable candidate to join Pep Guardiola’s side.