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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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2) Mikel Oyarzabal

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 19: Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Reale Arena on January 19, 2022 in San Sebastian Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 19: Mikel Oyarzabal of Real Sociedad during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Real Sociedad v Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Reale Arena on January 19, 2022 in San Sebastian Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

If Lewandowski is a sharp-shooter inside the box, Oyarzabal is a swiss knife user. The Spaniard at the age of 24, is the leader of Real Sociedad’s attack.

On paper, he is a wide, left-winger but in reality, he is a free-roaming forward who can kill the opposition with the chances he creates and his more than impressive finishing skills. In short, he could well be the Harry Kane of 2020/21, wherein the Englishman finished the Premier League campaign not only as the leading goal-scorer, but also as the leading assist provider.

Oyarazabal is a player that Pep Guardiola is said to admire. With a high work rate and a natural tendency to participate in the build-up, Oyarzbal could be the perfect Aguero replacement that Pep Guardiola has been seeking.

He is a versatile attacking player who can play on either flank or as a CAM, CF, or as a second striker. He is intelligent off the ball and could fit right into Pep Guardiola’s positional play system.

This season, the 24-year-old has managed to score 7 goals while assisting once in 15 La Liga appearances.

His current market value is touted at €60 million and could be a decent alternative to Erling Haaland. At this stage of his career, it would unwise to expect a 25-goal season from the Spaniard but with age and time on his side, he has a lot of potential to unearth.

Before Manchester City sold Ferran Torres to Barcelona and before the player was injured, Pep Guardiola tried playing the 21-year-old as a striker and found reasonable success with the former Valencia man. Oyarzabal, in many ways, is similar to Ferran Torres and could perhaps, be his replacement as well as the future number 9 at the Etihad.