Haaland is exceptional – Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has praised Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Braut Haaland but again defended City’s reluctance to spend more than £100m on one player.

Erling Braut Haaland

“So far the club has decided not to spend close to £100m for a player,” said Guardiola.

“Football is a team game, everyone contributes. It’s not just one player.”

Haaland, 20, has scored 39 goals for club and country this season, including 10 in six Champions League appearances.

With the Premier League leaders confirming last Monday that forward Sergio Aguero, 32, will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, Haaland has been a well-reported target to replace the Argentine.

However, Guardiola feels the fees currently being quoted are too high.

Dortmund are reported to want at least 150m euros (£128m) for the Norway international, whose agent Mino Raiola has met Barcelona and Real Madrid about a possible move.

“The fact we have not spent, for one player, a lot of money, gives you advantage,” added Guardiola.

“The only thing I can say is that, with his age, Haaland is an exceptional striker.

“Maybe in the future [spending more than £100m on one player] is going to happen if they decide it is necessary to improve the team for the next five, 10 years, for many reasons. But so far the club, the organisation, the CEO, the sporting director decided not to do it and that’s why they didn’t do it.”

Manchester City signed Rodri from Atletico Madrid for a club record £62.8m in July 2019.

Team news

Manchester City have no new injuries to report, while Dortmund are still without former City youth player Jadon Sancho who is sidelined with a muscle injury.

Dortmund are also without defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, who has a knee injury, while forward Youssoufa Moukoko has been ruled out for the season with a foot injury. – bbc.com