Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Manchester City FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Pundit Aaron Lennon has made a shocking claim that Manchester City ace Erling Haaland nearly signed for Everton as an academy player. The striker has been in England since 2022, winning successive league titles and successive golden boots since his arrival in the league with City.
Haaland was rated very highly as a youngster and was scouted by a number of sides in England, where he was born, including Manchester United. The Norwegian striker was born to former Manchester City and Leeds United midfielder Alf-Inge Haaland. He went on to make his name in Norway and Austria before moving to Germany with Borussia Dortmund.
Aaron Lennon recently revealed that Haaland's career trajectory could have been very different were it not for Everton deciding against signing him. The pundit revealed to the Football Daily Podcast that the Norwegian striker was on the verge of signing for the Toffees around 2016-2018. However, former owner Farhad Moshiri refused to sanction the £2 million signing.
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Lennon said (via Tribal Football):
"This is a mega story this. I remember Erling Haaland walking in the building with Steve Walsh coming up to me in the physio room. Steve Walsh introduced him to me like, 'Oh look Aaron, we've got Haaland. You know his Dad, Alfie? The Leeds boy. Hopefully, we're going to have him here'. And I was like, 'Oh wow, I have not heard much of him'.
"I think he was 15 or 16 years old and, never seen him again. I think they could have had him for two or three million and I think Moshiri didn't sign off on that. Could you imagine? Erling Haaland would have signed for Everton."
Erling Haaland was on the books of Molde at the time of this event and went on to sign for Red Bull Salzburg in 2019. While with the Austrian club, he caught the attention of all of Europe with a series of dazzling performances, eventually earning a move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020.
Erling Haaland is regarded as one of the best players in world football at present and led Manchester City to win the treble in 2023. He has scored 18 times in 23 appearances across competitions for the Cityzens amid their struggles this season.
Manchester City considering move for PL star to provide cover for Erling Haaland - Reports
Manchester City are looking to make an attempt to sign Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson to provide support for Erling Haaland, as per GIVEMESPORT. The Cityzens are prepared to make a loan offer to sign the Irishman, who has been plagued by injuries this season.
Manchester City sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer and failed to sign any players to replace him as their backup option for Erling Haaland. This decision has left Pep Guardiola's side light on options in front of goal even when they have struggled this season.
Brighton are open to loan offers for Ferguson, who is considered as one of the most promising young strikers in Europe. Injuries have stunted the development of the 20-year-old, who has just one goal in 11 appearances this season. His club are now looking for a place where he can play regularly.