Where next for Erling Haaland? Man City, Chelsea, PSG...

Sean Fisher
21 September 2021

Erling Haaland applauses the support of the Borussia Dortmund faithful following their loss to Bayern Munich

The 21-year-old striker looks set to be at the centre of one of the biggest transfer sagas of the season, and everyone appears to want a piece.

This summer's transfer window was one of the craziest - Lionel Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United finally secured Jadon Sancho's signature, Arsenal signed er...Aaron Ramsdale.

Then just when we thought it was all done and dusted Ronaldo popped up and returned to Old Trafford. Everyone seemed to temporarily forget about Erling Haaland...for at least ten minutes.

However, with the new Bundesliga season now underway, Haaland wasted no time in showing why he is considered such hot property in the transfer market. He already has seven goals in just five games, including another brace in Sunday's 4-2 win over Union Berlin.

Understandably, Haaland's name is back among the headlines after this amazing start to the season, but with almost all of Europe's powerhouses linked with a move, who is leading the way?

Manchester City

Spurs chief Daniel Levy won the 'battle of Harry Kane' over the summer, leaving Pep Guardiola without a marque striker to lead his Manchester City side.

Since Sergio Aguero's departure for Barcelona, City have lacked a striker, and Guardiola has often resorted to a false nine formation in his absence.

When City score lots of goals everyone points out they don't really need a striker, but then after a 0-0 draw with Southampton it understandably becomes a hot topic of conversation again.

Harry Kane's lack of goals for Tottenham is just strengthening the case for City raiding the piggy bank for Haaland instead.

City now lead the betting for his signature. His Dad also played for them too...no one ever mentions that do they? Quiet at the back Leeds fans, you'll get your turn.

Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel Chelsea Champions League May21

Thomas Tuchel's side were previously favourites to sign Haaland before a £100million move for Lukaku quickly came to fruition this summer.

However, there was obviously interest from the London side this summer and with Haaland available for around £70million this time next year, we still wouldn't bet against a Chelsea contract landing on his table.

Lukaku has already made a big impact at Stamford Bridge, and after a fairly average start to his Chelsea career last season, Timo Werner could well feel the pressure to perform this time around.

They might not be favourites to land the ruthless Norwegian, but we have no doubt they'll still be in the running.

Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United manager

Haaland is also on Manchester United's radar. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deep into his rebuilding process, Haaland could be the final piece between his side and an abundance of silverware.

Previous experience coaching Haaland at Molde stands Solskjaer in good stead regarding his chances of capturing the striker, and their shared Norwegian nationality only bolsters any chances of him luring Haaland to Old Trafford.

With Edinson Cavani likely to move on after this season, Anthony Martial struggling to stamp his authority in the starting lineup and even Ronaldo unlikely to last forever (probably) Haaland could be the focal point to fire Manchester United back to Premier League success for years to come.

Another factor favouring the Red Devils is their acquisition of Jadon Sancho, Haaland's former teammate at Dortmund. After linking up spectacularly well in Germany, he may be tempted to reunite with his friend in Manchester.

Paris Saint-Germain

Over in Paris, the club are currently playing the most expensive game of top trumps ever.

Clearly Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos et al is not enough and now the hunt for Haaland has begun.

The key here is Mbappe. His expected move to Real Madrid didn't come off in the summer transfer window, but he is still believed to want to move on in 2022. If Mbappe leaves PSG's odds of capturing Haaland will no doubt shorten further.

Whether Haaland wants to join a team bursting with so much talent that one day the egos will explode in a horrific Mount Vesuvius style eruption is another thing...think I'd rather join Leeds.

Bayern Munich

It seems as though whenever one of Borussia Dortmund's stars are up for grabs, Bayern Munich are never far from the conversation.

Robert Lewandowski, Mats Hummels and Mario Gotze all made the switch from Dortmund to Bayern at some point in their careers, leaving poor Marco Reus to simply watch on as his former teammates dominated the Bundesliga.

And, it seems as though Haaland might be the latest Dortmund player that Bayern try to poach, with their current striker Lewandowski not getting any younger at 33.

As one of their closest title rivals in Germany, should Bayern secure Haaland's signature we could all but write off the champions before the start of the season.

With experience in the league already, it doesn't seem too outlandish that the Norwegian forward would continue in Germany, although he has previously gone on record saying that his dream is to play in the Premier League.

Real Madrid

Still not a Premier League club, but when Real Madrid comes calling for any player, it's often hard to turn them down.

The Los Blancos side is quickly ageing and is in need of a youthful star as their next galactico signing. It seems almost certain that one of Kylian Mbappe or Haaland will end up at the Bernabeu next season.

With 33-year-old Karim Benzema entering his twilight years, Madrid are in desperate need of a new star striker, and Haaland certainly fits the bill.

However, it's almost impossible for Madrid to acquire both Mbappe and Haaland in one season, and the former currently looks the favourite to don the famous white of Real next season.

But as we've learned through experience, never count out Real Madrid in any transfer saga.

Leeds United

Hang on. I know what you're thinking, but Haaland has continuously spoken publicly about his adoration of Leeds United.

Despite his Norwegian nationality, Haaland was actually born in the city of Leeds, home to the club his dad played for between 1997 and 2000.

Back in 2017, Haaland confessed his desire to play in Yorkshire, "I want to be the best. The dream is to win the Premier League with Leeds."

Now back in the Premier League, Marcelo Bielsa's side performed remarkably last season, eventually finishing in ninth after a strong end to the season.

As Leeds continue their journey in the top flight, they could become an increasingly attractive offer for Haaland, the only issue being whether they could fork out enough for his wages.

To add further fuel to the fire, while on international duty, Haaland's Norway faced a Northern Ireland side which included Leeds' Stuart Dallas.

Haaland scored a brace as his side won 5-1, but following the final whistle, he went and asked Dallas for his shirt before reciting the Leeds anthem 'Marching on together' as they swapped.

It might not be the most logical move for Haaland at this time, but with a strong love for his father's former club, it's a distant possibility. Weirder things have happened.