It took Erling Haaland three months after moving from BVB to Manchester to completely turn the Premier League upside down. The Norwegian breaks records every week both on and off the field – and there is no end in sight.
Hardly one superlative is enough to adequately describe Erling Haaland’s career so far. At RB Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund, the attacker had achieved insane goal quotas, which he has now transferred to England with surprisingly little effort.
14 goals in his first ten competitive games, eleven of them in the Premier League – no one has done that before Haaland and gave the 22-year-old an entry in the history books of the strongest league in the world.
“We want to win titles. And if his records help us, that’s good,” commented star coach Pep Guardiola on his newcomer’s crazy record hunt recently.
While the Catalan thinks his protégé is following in the footsteps of club icon Sergio Agüero and Gary Lineker, chief critic of English football, already sees Alan Shearer’s all-time record (260 league goals) in danger, Haaland remains even after his dream start remarkably cool.
“It’s going well so far. I can’t complain,” Haaland explained his run succinctly. There is no sign of possible adjustment difficulties or an adjustment phase, which many had expected after his €60 million move. On the contrary, the left-footed player has taken the Premier League by storm.
Ex-BVB star Haaland is swimming in money
In the Manchester derby against the city rivals United, who have recently improved in form (Sunday from 3:00 p.m. in the LIVE ticker), the hosts Sky Blues are again pinning great hopes on Haaland, the Red Devils superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in direct comparison like a football makes grandpa look.
But the goalgetter has not only made an insane development on the pitch. Haaland is now one of the best-paid professionals in the world – and the end of the flagpole is not even remotely in sight.
If you only include the future salary that the national player will receive in Manchester in the next five years, according to the business magazine “Kapital”, Haaland already has assets of around 1.1 billion Norwegian kroner (approx .107 million euros).
In addition, there are at least another 15 to 20 million euros in sponsorship money and bonus payments that depend on sporting success.
Cooperation with the former BVB star is desirable for advertising partners, explained “Sponsor Insight” CEO Vegard Arntsen: “He has a cool style. He can be very relaxed and play different roles. It helps him that he has his own style .”
Supplier deal: Haaland outperforms Kane
Other Premier League stars are apparently paying a high price for Haaland’s rapid rise. England national team captain Harry Kane, whose future planning is directly influenced by the Norwegian, according to a “Telegraph” report, should be directly affected.
The reason: Both superstars are currently (Haaland) or after the World Cup in Qatar (Kane) without a valid supplier deal. However, both are considered “must-haves” in the industry, i.e. players that every major outfitter should actually have on their team.
The sporting goods manufacturer Nike has now put its contract extension with Kane on hold. The US giant is said to be planning a gigantic offer for Haaland. With the budget being limited, Nike had to set new priorities – and these are evidently based on a commitment from the former Dortmund player.
In addition to Nike, Puma, Adidas and New Balance are also said to be vying for Haaland’s signature.
Real Madrid haven’t given up on Haaland yet
As so often, Haaland is spoiled for choice. Clubs, consultants, sponsors – everyone wants to win over the Scandinavian with the insatiable thirst for goals. There are no limits to him, neither athletically nor financially.
Manchester City can count themselves all the happier to have rid themselves of the difference player in the summer for comparatively moderate money from BVB.
Real Madrid are already making plans to lure Haaland to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the not too distant future, but his contract with the Citizens runs until 2027.
It will therefore take a while before Haaland can also conquer LaLiga.
Heiko Lütkehus