Erling Haaland has revealed in a new documentary that as many as 15 names from within Manchester City told him to join the club last year.
The Norway international was perhaps the most in-demand player of the 2022 summer transfer window.
All of Europe's premier clubs were understandably vying for his signature, most notably Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
The latter held an internal belief that they could sign both Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, and the now-Manchester City forward.
Ultimately, it was Pep Guardiola and the Etihad officials that won the race for the young forward.
However, it is now understood that the operation to lure Erling Haaland to the Etihad Stadium did not just begin early this year.
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In fact, a new documentary has revealed that a charm offensive from the City squad had begun from the moment they first met Haaland on the pitch a year earlier.
In the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg of 2021, Manchester City took on Borussia Dortmund at the Etihad Stadium.
It was the first in-person meeting between City's first-team stars and the striker so many of them wanted to come to their club.
At the time, it was widely anticipated that a charm offensive would take place, but the scale of the operation that did in fact take place may take some by surprise.
Speaking in the documentary aired on Scandinavian subscription service, Viaplay titled 'Haaland - The Big Decision', Erling Haaland has revealed that as many as 15 people from City told him that he should join the club.
The 22 year-old revealed, as quoted by The Times, “After the game, I think 15 people said I should come (to Manchester City).
"(John) Stones and Rúben Dias, (Ilkay) Gundogan, (Phil) Foden, (Kevin) De Bruyne.”
The signing of Erling Haaland has perhaps paid off as well as most of the 15 names will have anticipated.
Heading into Sunday afternoon's clash against Manchester United, Haaland has scored a staggering 14 goals in his first 10 appearances.
The stubborn defensive unit of Erik ten Hag's side will perhaps provide a difference test, as the City forward heads into a direct battle against a pairing of Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez at the Etihad Stadium.
Kick-off between Manchester City and Manchester United is at 14:00BST on Sunday 2nd October.
Featured Image Credit: PA Images / Alamy
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football, Transfers, Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones
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