Pep Guardiola has committed his future to Manchester City until 2025 and Erling Haaland was believed to be a ‘decisive factor’ in him staying beyond next summer, according to Pol Ballus and Sam Lee of The Athletic.
The 22-year-old joined City on a five-year deal from Borussia Dortmund in June and has gone on to scored 23 goals with three assists from 18 games in all competitions, convincing Guardiola that it was worth staying at the Etihad Stadium.
The report says City were so desperate to sign Haaland that they barely blinked at making him their highest earner. The Premier League defending champions were so sure of his ability and potential that they were willing to commit a lot of money to sign him for the long-term.
Guardiola had long insisted he was happy at City and managed to win the Premier League title without adequately replacing Sergio Aguero, but he needed a centre-forward with Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling having uncertain futures. Haaland couldn’t have been more perfect.
City now have one of the best strikers in the continent and boast a side capable of challenging for Champions League honours. Guardiola wants a European crown this season and has a prolific centre-forward to help him achieve his goals, so it’s worth him staying.
In other news, Kyle Walker details surgery on recent injury
The Vital Network is unique from other football content providers as all the sites are run by the fans, for the fans. We are looking for a writer to join our Manchester City site. If you can write well-constructed, thought-provoking opinion pieces alongside reporting on current events and breaking news then I want to hear from you. Email paddy@snack-media.com.
Can you name these Man City players from the 2000s? Test your knowledge, take the quiz and challenge your friends and family to beat your score