Erling Haaland, a football legend, appears to be on his way to the Premier League this summer after Manchester City exercised the Borussia Dortmund star’s £63 million release clause.
According to various reports, Pep Guardiola’s side have negotiated a financial package worth £500,000 per week for the 21-year-old striker in a five-year agreement, with the transfer set to be completed ‘within the next week’.
This would equate to a stunning £26 million every year for the Norwegian, totaling £130 million over the course of the contract. This makes him the highest-paid footballer in the world.
Additionally, the contract is said to have a few hidden expenses.
City have yet to properly replace Sergio Aguero, who left the Etihad last summer following City’s unsuccessful pursuit of Tottenham talisman Harry Kane.
However, they may have to pay agency fees nearly equal to the sum of the transfer fee in order to obtain Haaland.
It is believed that the Manchester club would be required to pay £17 million in agency fees to Mino Raiola and £17 million to his father, Alf-Inge Haaland.
When the release clause, salary, and further payments are included, the total comes to an eye-popping £227 million.
Haaland was born and raised in England, where his father played for Leeds United and Manchester City.
The striker has 82 goals in 85 appearances in Germany.
And ordinarily, that type of return would result in a transfer valuation in the nine figures, albeit it has long been believed that a £63 million release clause might be invoked this summer.