Manchester City are in pole position to sign Borussia Dortmund's Erling Braut Haaland next summer, according to a report.
The former Red Bull Salzburg starlet was the subject of offers from Chelsea in the most recent transfer window, but is now set to remain at the Westfalenstadion for the 2021-22 season.
Haaland's £68m release clause will become active next year, however, and a host of European clubs are set to battle it out for his signature then.
With City failing in their bids to add Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo to the Etihad ranks, Bild claims that the Premier League champions are at the head of the queue in the race for the in-demand striker.
However, Manchester United are understood to have made Haaland their number one target for 2022, while Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest.
Real Madrid were also strongly linked with a move for the Norway international, but Los Blancos are now expected to sign Kylian Mbappe on a free transfer next year.
Haaland has scored six goals and assisted three more in five appearances across all competitions this season and is not due to become a free agent until 2024.
Ben Knapton
