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Erling Braut Haaland tipped to become first £1bn footballer by agent

Haaland tipped to become first £1bn footballer by agent
© Reuters
Erling Braut Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta believes that the striker could become the first £1bn footballer.

Erling Braut Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta has tipped the Manchester City striker to become the first £1bn footballer.

The Premier League champions won the race for the 22-year-old's signature over the summer, activating the £51m release clause in his deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Haaland has since made an electric start to life at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 20 goals in just 14 games across all competitions and breaking a plethora of records in the process.

While many would assume that City have signed Haaland for a cut-price fee, the overall cost of the deal is allegedly worth in excess of £100m, including signing bonuses, agent fees and his £375,000-a-week salary.

Haaland has transformed into a global superstar following his rapid rise at such a young age and he is currently regarded as one of the best strikers in world football.

Even though the Norway international is under contract at City until the summer of 2027, the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have all been credited with an interest in his services.

Erling Braut Haaland celebrates his hat-trick for Manchester City on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Haaland's father, Alfe-Igne Haaland, recently suggested that the striker could spend a "maximum" of four years at Man City as he has ambitions to challenge himself in different leagues throughout his career.

Should a potential transfer come to fruition in the future, Haaland's agent Pimenta believes that the striker's value, image and value to sponsors could see him become the world's first £1bn footballer.

When 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."

Pimenta has also suggested that Haaland would be "happy" to hold discussions with Man City over a new contract.

Erling Braut Haaland celebrates his hattrick for Manchester City on October 2, 2022© Reuters

Asked whether contract negotiations could take place soon, Pimenta said: "I hope so. If they want to discuss today, we'd be happy. Why not? Always good!"

Recent reports have claimed that Haaland will see a €200m (£175m) release clause in his contract become active in the summer of 2024, but it can only be triggered by clubs competing outside of the Premier League.

Such a clause was allegedly included to help facilitate a move for Haaland to join Real Madrid in two years' time, but manager Pep Guardiola insists that the clause does not exist.

Pimenta, meanwhile, refused to confirm or deny that the clause exists when questioned on the matter, adding: "The good and bad of being a lawyer is that you know what you cannot say. You don't need somebody poking you like 'don't say this, don't say that'. I cannot talk about it."

Haaland failed to score in City's 1-0 defeat away against Liverpool last weekend, and he will be hoping to rediscover his goalscoring touch when they Citizens welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to the Etihad on Saturday.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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