Report: £250m phenom could defy figure loathed by Pep to join Man City

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Erling Haaland could reportedly defy the wishes of agent Mino Raiola over a move to FC Barcelona to instead join Manchester City.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Norwegian superstar is favouring a move to the reigning Premier League champions, yet Haaland’s agent is pushing for a move to Barcelona, with conversations taking place between the Catalan side and Raiola.

The update comes as a surprise given the stature and history of Barcelona, yet with Haaland growing up as a City fan with his father a player for the club, it makes sense why the 21-year-old phenom is eager to move to the blue half of Manchester this summer.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola is eager to sign a striker in the transfer window, and Haaland now appears to be the favourite for the Catalan coach despite his previous conflicts with Raiola, with the pair rarely seeing eye-to-eye in previous encounters.

As per Goal, the two influential footballing figures have an ongoing feud that stretches back to Guardiola’s early days as manager of Barcelona, and with Raiola set to earn a huge payday over Haaland this summer, it will be sensational for the striker to defy his agent’s suggestion of a move to Barcelona.

Indeed, Sky Sports News reported that Haaland’s overall deal this summer could cost as much as £250m, with Raiola’s agent fee part of this package, yet this latest update from Catalonia is a huge boost for City’s plans in the transfer window.

Haaland’s City demand is massive for Guardiola and Raiola

Agents have had a large role to play in the current state of football, yet Haaland’s urge to play for City against Raiola’s wishes is a huge turning point for the striker, and for the Manchester club themselves, it is a massive positive ahead of the summer.

After all, Haaland is arguably the best option for City to sign in the upcoming transfer window, and with the striker willing to ignore Raiola’s suggestions, Guardiola could be set to land one of the best talents in world football.