Erling Haaland ‘is Manchester City’s first-choice target in the summer’

Manchester City will go all-out in their attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland next summer, according to reports, with the in-demand superstar said to be their No 1 target.

Haaland is widely expected to leave his club at the end of the season, and his release clause – valued at just £64million – is certain to spark a tussle over his signature between a number of elite clubs.

City are likely to be near the front of the queue, and The Athletic have claimed that they have placed Haaland at the forefront of their transfer plans. 

Manchester City have made Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland their first-choice target

In the same report, it has been suggested that the current Premier League table toppers will also move for a left back and central midfielder, although the largest chunk of their war chest will be splashed out on a new frontman.

It is said that City will ‘push hard’ to snap up Haaland, and that they are planning to hold talks with the ace’s representatives over the coming weeks and months.

Currently, it is not known whether the player himself would opt for the Etihad giants, due to the fierce nature of the competition to sign him. 

Pep Guardiola is keen to bring in a new frontman, with the prolific Haaland top of his shortlist

Indeed, The Athletic also say that Real Madrid are their main rivals in this chase.

They are seemingly hell-bent on swooping for Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, however, and if that switch is completed, Haaland may decide against joining him.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich and PSG are expected to also voice their interest in recruiting the Norway international – but City’s project appears more enticing.

It has been reported in recent days that Barcelona would be able to piece together the eye-watering finances needed to sign Haaland, despite their off-field woes.

Haaland’s release clause can be triggered for just £64million, with several clubs keen to swoop

But these suggestions have today been shot down, with several sources insisting to The Athletic that the club will not be able to ‘mount a serious challenge’ for him. 

Another big player in the scramble to reach an agreement is Manchester United. As the club are struggling this season, though, Haaland may choose to snub them. 

City boss Pep Guardiola has made his desire to sign a new striker clear, and he believes that the club have failed to adequately replace legend Sergio Aguero.

As a result, they are expected to set their sights on a new forward if their attempts to recruit Haaland prove fruitless. 

Real Madrid, led by Carlo Ancelotti, are City’s main rivals in the race for Haaland’s signature

Fiorentina’s Dusan Vlahovic has been identified as one target, with the prolific marksman dazzling in Serie A. He is set to move on at the end of the campaign.

Real Sociedad ace Alexander Isak is another name on City’s shortlist, meanwhile. 

Sensationally, The Athletic have even gone as far as claiming that it is possible that City re-ignite their interest in Harry Kane, having failed to pull off their £150m move.

This looks unlikely as it stands, with Antonio Conte stressing the importance of his talisman and chairman Daniel Levy likely to hold out for a similarly staggering fee.