Rangers appear to have crushed the dream Borussia Dortmund sign-off for Norwegian striker Erling Haaland amid reports the forward has struck a deal with Man City.
The 21-year-old powerhouse striker is one of the most hotly-sought after talents in world football with the global footballing elite all said to be monitoring the forward’s situation.
But despite the fact Dortmund harboured hopes of retaining the forward, the Daily Mail are reporting that Haaland has made his mind up on his future just weeks after the Germans crashed out of the Europa League 6-4 on aggregate at the hands of Rangers.
Erling Haaland – who has been nursing a muscle injury since the turn of the year – didn’t feature against the Ibrox side and if the reports are true, will have played his final European game for Dortmund.
The report claims that Man City have pipped nearest challengers Real Madrid to the signature of Erling Haaland with the Premier League side meeting a reported £63m release clause.
However, the Daily Mail are also claiming the move could also reach in excess of £100m between a fee paid to super-agent Mino Raiola and extensive signing-on bonuses.
Rangers crush hopes of dream Dortmund sign off for Man City bound Haaland
Whilst the striker’s exit had an air of inevitability about it – and we’re still some way off the summer and even Haaland’s return from injury – Rangers’ triumphant Europa League win will surely linger over the forward’s final season at Dortmund.
Since joining the club, Erling Haaland has hit a remarkable 80 goals in 79 games, adding 21 assists for good measure.
The tournament favourites heading into the clash with Rangers, Dortmund would’ve been dreaming of the perfect send off for the striker and Europa League glory.
But Rangers had other ideas and sent the Germans crashing from the competition meaning if Haaland leaves for City, his final European game for Dortmund came in the 5-0 Champions League win over Besiktas, where Erling netted a double.
Dortmund are still in without an outside chance of Bundesliga glory, Marco Rose’s side ten points behind Bayern with two games in hand.
But with the club also crashing out of the DFB Pokal, Rangers appear to have spoiled their chance of both Europa League glory and a dramatic send-off for their talismanic striker.
Rangers certainly won’t be in anyway sympathetic to the situation and the club are still smarting after hammering Red Star Belgrade 3-0 in the first leg of the round of 16.