Erling Haaland already knows the next step he will take in his glittering career, according to his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
The Norway international, 22, is one of the most feared strikers in Europe. He joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer after his £51million release clause was activated, leaving many critics stunned by his comparatively low transfer fee.
It's emerged this month that Haaland also has a release clause in his City contract, which can be activated in the summer of 2024. He will reportedly be able to leave the Etihad for £175m in two years' time, putting Barcelona and Real Madrid on red alert.
Haaland was represented by Mino Raiola until his death in April, with Pimenta inheriting many of his clients. His dad Alfie, who also played in the Premier League with City, Leeds and Nottingham Forest, is also heavily involved in the superstar's off-field business.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Pimenta said: "When Alfie came to the office for the first time and we met, with Mino of course, Alfie was already a man with a plan. And the plan of Alfie was 'my plan is I need to have a plan and I need agents who make plans'.
"So it’s been very carefully prepared. It is planned every day. I say to the players, 'If when you start you don’t know where you are going then for sure you will not get there. Maybe you don’t get there anyhow but I guarantee you won’t if you don’t know the road'. So, yes, we made a plan from the start."
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Haaland started his career in Norway, representing Bryne and Molde before securing a move to Red Bull Salzburg. It was in Austria where he made a name for himself, scoring 29 goals in 27 games - including eight in the Champions League - to get Dortmund's attention.
Haaland signed for Dortmund in January 2020 and continued to hammer in the goals, finding the net 86 times in just 89 games. Yet he was always expected to leave the German giants in the summer, as his £51m release clause was common knowledge.
Since joining City, Haaland has continued to destroy opponents. He's scored 20 goals in just 14 games, with 15 of those coming in 10 Premier League outings. Few strikers have made such a devastating impact in English football on their arrival.
Dad Alfie has already revealed Haaland's desire to play elsewhere. Speaking last month, he said: "I think Erling wants to prove his abilities in all leagues. Then he can stay there [City] for three or four years at the most. He could be, for example, two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half years in England and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?"
City manager Pep Guardiola dismissed the reports about Haaland's release clause earlier this month, perhaps worried about losing his star striker. "It is not true," insisted the Spaniard. "He does not have a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.
"Rumours, people talk. We have to be worried about what we can control. I have the feeling he is very happy here and we will try to make people happy here. He is settled perfectly, incredibly beloved."
