Erling Haaland has revealed there was no need for Pep Guardiola to sell Manchester City's project to the forward prior to his move to the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The Norway international joined the Premier League champions for £51 million from Borussia Dortmund in one of the most exciting transfers in City's history.
After failing to secure the arrival of Harry Kane from Tottenham last summer, City retained the Premier League in the absence of a natural striker last term and signed Haaland to bolster their attacking ranks for the new season.
Advert
Haaland has hit the ground running in sky blue colours, netting on his City debut in a pre-season win against old rivals Bayern Munich in the United States.
Despite struggling in City's Community Shield defeat to Liverpool, the 22-year-old bagged a clinical brace on his Premier League debut in a 2-0 win away at West Ham on the opening day of the season.
He followed on a five-star display at the London Stadium by settling up Ilkay Gundogan for the opener in Manchester City's 4-0 rout of Bournemouth at home on Saturday.
Advert
The spotlight has been largely on the young attacker and how he will fare in leading the line for a star-studded side that has operated without a out-and-out centre forward for the best part of two years.
Haaland is again expected to make the starting XI when Pep Guardiola's men visit Newcastle to maintain their perfect start to their title defence on Sunday.
Speaking in an interview with Four Four Two ahead of the clash, the Leeds-born striker spoke about the role Guardiola played in his move.
Advert
“Well, Pep (Guardiola) didn’t have to sell the club to me, that’s for sure. He didn’t have to sell anything," Haaland said.
"For starters, he's a special trainer and that was so important to me. We all know what he has done for his clubs, but also for players and for the game in general.
"That’s something I want to be part of. I think we can have a lot of fun together.”
Advert
Just short of two decades on from when his father Alf-Inge represented City, Haaland has explained why he was so keen on returning to the east side of Manchester this summer.
The young forward said: “It (the club) is huge. The facilities around us, the staff, the people around the club, it’s a huge organisation.
"It’s a very professional club, it does everything in a good way to help the players which I really like.”
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Erling Haaland, Pep Guardiola, Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga, Transfers, Newcastle United, Bournemouth, West Ham United, Liverpool
Vayam Lahoti