The father of Erling Braut Haaland, Alf Inge Haaland, has suggested that his son could stay at Manchester City for "15 years".
Following his £51m summer transfer from Borussia Dortmund, the 22-year-old striker has made a phenomenal start to life at the Etihad Stadium and has settled in quickly under Pep Guardiola, scoring 23 goals in just 18 appearances across all competitions.
Eighteen of the Norwegian's goals have come in just 13 Premier League matches, while he has also netted five times in only four Champions League appearances for the Citizens.
Haaland has only spent six months at the Etihad, but speculation has already begun about where his next destination may be in the near future, amid interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Haaland's father Alf Inge suggested in October that his son could spent a maximum of four years with Man City, as the striker is keen to "test his capabilities" in different leagues.
© Reuters
"I think Erling wants to test out his capabilities in every league. Then he can stay in every league for three to four years maximum," Alf Inge told reporters as quoted by The Times.
"He could have two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half years in England, and then in Spain, Italy, France, right? We do not know if it will be like that, but I think he would like to test his abilities in the big leagues."
However, Alf Inge has since claimed that City's No.9 – who is under contract at the Etihad until June 2027 – could stay at the club for "15 years".
Speaking to France Football, via DAZN, Haaland's father said: "Erling could stay at City for 15 years, because he is very happy and we are talking about a huge club. But my impression is that he wants to demonstrate that he can win at any of the big leagues."
"He was in Germany for two-and-a-half years and he could do something like that in his future. Staying in the Premier League for three years and then going to Italy, Spain or France - there's nothing firm about it, but it's a possibility, because Erling is capable of being a winner in any team."
© Reuters
Should Haaland eventually decide to seek pastures new away from Man City, the striker's agent Rafaela Pimenta believes that his value, image and value to sponsors could see him become the world's first £1bn footballer.
Asked for her opinion on Haaland's overall value in an interview with Sky Sports Italia, Pimenta confidently replied: "One billion. That's what I think, because if you put together his football value, his image value, his sponsor value, it is for sure one billion.
"And if you compare, it's normal to compare Erling with [Kylian] Mbappe so you have a little bit of an idea of the market, I think Erling will be the first player to achieve a transfer that will be around one billion."
After Norway failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, Haaland is one of the standout names who has watched on from home, but the striker is set to return to action when Man City lock horns with Liverpool in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on December 22.
Oliver Thomas
