Erling Haaland will become first £1 billion player, his agent claims

Erling Haaland has been tipped to become the first £1 billion footballer by his agent.

Haaland has developed into one of the best and most popular players in world football, having already scored 20 goals for Manchester City after his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund.

City saw off competition from a plethora of Europe's elite to secure his signature, paying £51 million for his services.

It was seen as an absolute bargain fee for the Norwegian goal machine, as evidenced in his deadly form this season.

But in the future, Haaland's representative, Rafaela Pimenta believes he will break new ground with his transfer value.

"One billion," she said without hesitation in an interview with Sky Sport in Italy.

That's what I think, because if you put together his football value, his image value, his sponsor value, it is for sure one billion.

"And if you compare, it's normal to compare Erling [Haaland] with Kylian] Mbappe so you have a little bit of an idea of the market.

"I think Erling will be the first player to achieve a transfer that will be around one billion."

Haaland had been represented by late superagent Mino Raiola before he sadly passed away in April.

The former Borussia Dortmund striker is advised by his father Alf-Inge, with Brazilian lawyer Pimenta now looking after all of Raiola's clients from his agency.

His explosive life to start in the Premier League promoted Pimenta to be questioned over whether Haaland could be already be in line for a new contract with even better terms.

"I hope so," she replied.

"If they want to discuss today, we'd be happy. Why not? Always good!"

Haaland signed a five-year contract, though his father has said he would ideally be at City for "three or four years at most" before embarking on challenges in other leagues in Europe.

According to The Athletic, Haaland's City deal includes a €200 million (£175.5 million) release clause which is active from 2024 and reduces in value as time goes on.

The clause is only applicable to clubs outside of the Premier League.