Manchester City fans will be delighted to hear that they are ‘emerging as favourites’ to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The 21-year-old is widely expected to depart the Signal Iduna Park this summer when his €75 million (£62.8m) release clause becomes active, with several top sides believed to be in the running for his signature.

What is the latest news involving Haaland?

According to German outlet SportBild, Haaland’s ‘change is imminent’ as City prepare to stump up the fee required to prise him away from Dortmund.

And the Daily Mail claim that the reigning Premier League champions are willing to offer the Norway international a contract worth £500,000-per-week, which would make him the highest paid player in the division.

The report states that European giants Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also interested in Haaland, but that there is a growing confidence that City are in pole position for his signature.

With the 6 foot 4 ace’s relatively low price tag, it’s believed his agent Mino Raiola and his ex-City midfielder father Alf-Inge are also set to earn massive payments, taking the total outlay to around £100m.

What has O’Rourke said about Haaland?

City have been without a recognised striker in their first-team squad since Sergio Aguero departed the club on a free transfer last summer.

The Etihad Stadium outfit have coped admirably without a natural goalscorer, though, and are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table with just nine games of the season remaining.

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Nevertheless, O’Rourke believes the club’s supporters will be ‘rubbing their hands with glee’ at the prospect of signing the prolific Haaland.

He told GiveMeSport: “Man City fans will be rubbing their hands with glee with the news that they're emerging as favourites for Haaland.”

Would Haaland be a good signing?

Since arriving at Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020, Haaland has established himself as one of European football’s leading marksmen.

The Scandinavian monster has registered an incredible 80 goals and 21 assists in just 81 appearances for BVB, with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry labelling him ‘lethal’ during a Monday Night Football appearance last year.

With just one point separating City and Liverpool in the title race, Guardiola may be keen to bolster his forward line ahead of next season, and the arrival of Haaland could make the Manchester outfit an unstoppable force in 2022/23.