Erling Haaland Had TWO Major Reasons For Joining Manchester City

There were two major factors in Erling Haaland's decision to choose Manchester City ahead of the many other clubs in the race for his signature.

After rumours had been swirling, City confirmed they had reached an agreement in principle for the Norwegian striker.

It's believed Haaland has signed a five-year deal and will be up there with Kevin De Bruyne as of the club's top earners.

He's also in line to bag some hefty bonuses as well as a tidy signing on fee once the £51 million deal is completely wrapped up.

But inevitably the 21-year-old has not joined City for the purpose of collecting a healthy paycheck.

Stuart Brennan from the Manchester Evening News says he picked City ahead of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain for "emotional and football reasons" as he could have earned the same salary elsewhere.

Yet he has a genuine connection with City. His father played 35 times for the club in the Premier League and he has been seen wearing City colours and even attending games.

When he walked out to train at the Etihad Stadium as a Dortmund player, he appeared to say, "Beautiful, huh?!" and then refrained from walking over the City crest the following day during the Champions League clash.

And then there's the footballing reasons. Haaland could not pass up on the opportunity work under Pep Guardiola and see how his game can develop under the Catalan coach.

Haaland is already a deadly finisher, with 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund - and 23 in 19 Champions League games.

But there is the feeling that he can truly explode at City and go up another gear. It's said that Haaland feels playing under Guardiola - and alongside De Bruyne and Phil Foden - gives him the best chance to win collective and individual prizes.

Haaland's dad Alf-Inge helped push the move along in a time where Haaland's agent Mino Raiola battled a short illness that ultimately claimed his life.

He will say his goodbyes to Dortmund supporters this Saturday as they host Hertha Berlin in their final Bundesliga game of the campaign.

Haaland is slated to join up with Norway for upcoming UEFA Nations League games before meeting his new City teammates in July for pre-season preparations.

There's no word on any potential shirt numbers as of yet, though Haaland's favoured No.9 is currently occupied by Gabriel Jesus.