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3 unlikely alternatives for the Cityzens in case their Haaland pursuit fails

By Nikhil Venkat Sai

SINSHEIM, GERMANY - JANUARY 22: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund in action during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on January 22, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images)
SINSHEIM, GERMANY - JANUARY 22: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund in action during the Bundesliga match between TSG Hoffenheim and Borussia Dortmund at PreZero-Arena on January 22, 2022 in Sinsheim, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Scheuber/Getty Images) /
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It is a well-known fact that Manchester City will be looking to go all-in for Erling Haaland come next summer. The Cityzens have failed to land the ideal replacement for club legend and former striker, Sergio Aguero.

While the Sky Blues did have three massive bids shot down by Tottenham Hotspur last summer for Harry Kane, the train for the Englishman has left the station and with Haaland available in the market for as low as €75 million next summer, it is unlikely that Kane is still a priority for Manchester City.

Related Story. Manchester City to rival Bayern Munich in a potentially sensational transfer race. light

However, it is not going to be easy for Manchester City as the Norweigan striker has been tipped to make a move to Spain, with Barcelona and Real Madrid set to battle it out for his signature. While the Los Blancos are in a much stronger and better position as compared to the Los Cules, Barca are confident about raising the required funds for Haaland, on time.

With that said, let us discuss some potential alternatives to Erling Haaland for Manchester City, in case they fail to change the player’s mind over a potential move to Spain.

Here we go.

1) Alexander Isak

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 08: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and RC Celta de Vigo at Reale Arena on January 08, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 08: Alexander Isak of Real Sociedad reacts during the La Liga Santander match between Real Sociedad and RC Celta de Vigo at Reale Arena on January 08, 2022 in San Sebastian, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images) /

The 22-year-old was one of the breakout stars of Euro 2020. The Real Sociedad striker surprised everyone with his speed, dribbling, and finishing in the marquee event. With that said, one of the main drawbacks of the Swede’s gameplay is his consistency.

While he displays potential of a garangutan-esque proportions, he lacks consistency. Last season the former Borussia Dortmund striker managed to score 17 goals in La Liga but this season he has managed only 4 goals, highlighting his inconsistency.

There is no hiding that teams like Barcelona are also keeping an eye on Isak. The player has been tipped for a big-money move this coming summer and there is hardly any doubt that the Cityzens will be keeping an eye on the player’s situation, should they fail to land Erling Haaland.

Isak certainly has a long way to go before he reaches an elite level. The striker needs to work on his first touches, short passing and the runs he makes for the crosses into the box. The 22-year-old though, is known to create shooting chances out of nowhere and is lethal on the break.

For many, Isak-Manchester City would be a mismatch and rightly so; but if the Sweden international works on a few of his weaknesses, he is not far away from reaching the level of the Kylian Mbappes and Erling Haalands of the game.

Perhaps Pep Guardiola is the coach that drives the 22-year-old to his maximum potential. It was the former Bayern Munich boss after all, that has shaped the likes of Joshua Kimmich, and Robert Lewandowski. Isak would be a stiff challenge but it is not beyond the Spaniard to make him one of the World’s best strikers.