Erling Haaland's ranking of the clubs interested in him last summer has now been revealed, as part of a new documentary around the decision the Norway international made.
The now former Borussia Dortmund striker was the most in-demand striker in world football last summer.
With more than five of Europe's biggest clubs chasing the player's signature, a huge decision had to be made by the youngster.
In a process undertaken by the Haaland team, alongside his representatives, the decision was made to join Premier League champions Manchester City.
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However, the process appeared to have been a meticulously undertaken debate by those involved, as it was documented in a newly-released feature film.
Speaking in a new documentary, 'Haaland — The Big Decision' - which was aired this month on Scandinavian streaming service Viaplay, Alfie Haaland - father of the Manchester City striker - revealed the order in which Erling's camp had ranked interested clubs ahead of their final decision.
As quoted by The Times newspaper, Alfie Haaland said, "On our list, I think (Manchester) City is the best team."
"(Bayern) Munich is number two. We have Real Madrid as number three, Paris Saint-Germain as number four."
He continued, “We also have some English teams other than City who are quite good... Liverpool and Chelsea.
"Also, there is Barcelona. They are sort of in the same row."
Elsewhere in the documentary, Erling Haaland was keen to dismiss the notion that the manager of his next club was the biggest factor in his decision making.
The 22 year-old admitted, "I have never transferred to a club because of the manager, but it is a big plus with (Pep) Guardiola at (Manchester) City, he is the best manager in the world."
Erling Haaland continued by glowing on the sporting project on offer at the Premier League champions, as he said of Manchester City, "The best sporting project in the world right now... it’s where I think I’ll do the best."
When discussing their ranking and calculations on a points-based system, the Haaland camp also looked into the interested clubs' need for a new number nine.
Manchester City's requirement for a new striker was highlighted.
Alfie Haaland said, "One of the criteria is about whether the club needs a No 9.
"(Manchester) City is ten (out of ten) in that respect."
"Bayern Munich gets one point for that, they don’t need a No 9. They have their best player as a No 9, but if he (Robert Lewandowski) goes, then they have no one else.
“It would have been quite controversial to go to (Bayern) Munich but when we go through it, it’s one of the best teams.
"Real Madrid are a five or six (out of ten). They have (Karim) Benzema, and will they get (Kylian) Mbappé?"
Erling Haaland has certainly hit the ground running at Manchester City.
Making just 10 appearances across all competitions so far, the Norway international has scored a staggering 14 goals, with an assist to his name too.
Next up for him and his Manchester City teammates is the Manchester derby, with rivals United visiting the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football, Transfers
Freddie Pye