Reports that broke on Friday night suggesting Manchester City have a deal in place to sign Erling Haaland this summer understandably got fans very excited indeed.
MEN Sport understands City are still “cautious” about their chances of landing Haaland but are in “pole position” to sign the Borussia Dortmund superstar and ready to meet his £63m release clause.
The measured official line is understandably in contrast to wider giddy anticipation across the supporter base, while there are likely to be a range of emotions among players already in Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Undoubtedly, there will be excitement over linking up with another elite talent but some might fear the arrival of Haaland would limit their own playing time.
Guardiola boasts a superb array of forward options, even if he lacks a specialist senior No.9. That alone might be an issue, as Haaland arriving to be the main man would mean one place being locked down in the front three rotation.
Here, we have quick look at what it might mean for the Blues’ attacking collective.
Phil Foden
City fans revelled in speculating over what Foden and Haaland were whispering about behind their hands after the Champions League quarter-final win against Borussia Dortmund last year. Now some of those memes might be about to come true.
As a fellow 21-year-old with the capacity to be one of the very best in the world over the next decade, a Haaland alliance should excite Foden more than pretty much any other City player, even if it would be more likely to shape up with the England international back in his natural position of midfield.
Jack Grealish
Haaland’s much-discussed release clause and the fact that mammoth agent and signing-on fees are not included in transfer totals mean Grealish is set to remain City’s record signing.
The £100m man assuaged plenty of doubts over his big-game pedigree with a swaggering display in the Manchester derby and clearly has a huge role to play over the coming years although, like Foden, that might well be one supplying the ammunition for Haaland and others from a deeper role.
Riyad Mahrez
City’s top scorer this season with 21 goals in all competitions, a partnership between the ever-clinical Mahrez and Haaland would be a nightmare for opposition defences and goalkeepers.
The Algeria star is not always an automatic selection for Guardiola and is one of three players on this list who is out of contract next year. But he is in the form of his career and should enjoy plenty of action alongside Haaland if the deal comes to pass.
Julian Alvarez
Regardless of what happens from this point, City already have a new forward talent wrapped up for next season. Argentina international Alvarez will be an exciting addition from River Plate and can operate across the forward line.
That means Haaland’s presence at No.9 would not necessarily be prohibitive to Alvarez enjoying a flying start at City, while the Norwegian’s troubling injury record this season means the 22-year-old might get plenty of chances to lead the line.
Raheem Sterling
Sterling’s renaissance has been one of the biggest feel-good stories of City’s season but the England star lost his place for the Manchester derby and is into the final 16 months of his contract.
Haaland flanked by Sterling could be two-thirds of one of the most lethal attacks in world football but the prospects of that happening probably hinge upon how strongly Raheem finishes this season and if there are enough playing minutes to make a renewal agreeable for all parties.
Gabriel Jesus
Haaland would be dubbed Sergio Aguero’s replacement and have to live up to that title. Six years ago, Jesus arrived balancing a similar weight of expectation.
He thrived initially but it has been an up-and-down City career for the Brazil international since. A superb servant to Guardiola, it would be fair to question where he fits into this 2022/23 configuration. He might be the most vulnerable of the June 2023 contract expiration trio.
Liam Delap
One of the reasons that some fans have claimed not to be too bothered about the Haaland pursuit is City already have their own young powerhouse striker who appears to have been purpose-built in some sort of football laboratory.
A frustrating run of injuries have checked Delap’s progress but he is now back in the first-team picture. Haaland would obviously complicate his route to increased senior minutes but training every day with one of the very best in the business is a challenge that he should relish.
Who would be your starting front three next season if Erling Haaland signs? Follow the City Is Ours editor Dom Farrell on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and give us your thoughts in the comments section below.
