Manchester City stand firm over striker’s price tag despite goal-per-game record

Manchester City laid down a marker for both Liverpool and Chelsea on Tuesday evening, as they ran out 7-0 victors over struggling Leeds United at the Etihad. 

Pep Guardiola’s side were rampant going forward and could have scored even more, although goals from Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez, John Stones, Nathan Ake and a brace from Kevin De Bruyne gave City the joint-highest win of the season so far.

The result was yet another example of Guardiola’s side proving that they are not missing a striker, proving wrong those who predicted before the start of the campaign that they would struggle having failed to replace record scorer Sergio Aguero.

In his absence, the likes of Foden, Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus have all stepped up to replace his valuable goals, and it appears that Guardiola may now have changed his strategy for the upcoming transfer window.

As per Sport, City are still interested in signing Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland, but ‘will not break the bank’ to do so.

The report by the Spanish outlet suggests that, while City are still one of the clubs interested in the Norwegian, they are unwilling to be tempted into a bidding war for the player and will not break their own wage structure.

Haaland has 105 goals in his last 101 games at club level

Haaland, who boasts a staggering record of 74 goals in 72 games for the Bundesliga side, reportedly has a release clause that becomes active next summer, however it had been rumoured that his current employers will opt to sell him in January instead, likely commanding a much higher fee.

The report also suggests that Barcelona are preparing a move for the striker, despite their severe financial problems.

Haaland’s agent, Mino Raiola, recently fuelled speculation surrounding the player’s future by listing a handful of clubs that the player could join next.

“He can and will take the next step,” he said.

“Bayern, Real, Barcelona, City – these are the big clubs he can go to.

“City has won the championship five times in recent years, significantly more than United. When we moved to Dortmund, we all knew that this step would come.”

Haaland is one of the most desired players in Europe at the moment, largely due to his prolific goalscoring record across all competitions since emerging at Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.