Haaland, Lukaku, Martinez: Man City look for new striker in £200m spree

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 5 min read

Man City have rocketed right back into top form in the Premier League, and they could already be looking to sustain that into next season as they identify their next raft of transfer targets.

The Telegraph are reporting that Pep Guardiola will have some £200 million to play with this summer, with a new striker believed to be at the top of his wish list.

Sergio Aguero’s age and injury issues have rendered him near invisible throughout this season and Gabriel Jesus has struggled to shoulder the load on his own.

Despite that, a new signing would not necessarily displace those two, with the club set to be considering a new contract for Aguero and Jesus still being only 23 years old.

With plenty of financial backing, these are the players Man City could look to bring in:

Erling Haaland

Who wouldn’t want to sign Erling Haaland? The Norwegian has already become one of the world’s best strikers in just over a year at Borussia Dortmund, all while not yet being 20-and-a-half years old.

Despite an injury earlier in this season, Haaland has scored the second-most Bundesliga goals with 12 to his name, bettered only by Robert Lewandowski’s absurd total of 21.

He was heavily linked with the Citizens while at Red Bull Salzburg, with father Alf-Inge having played 35 Premier League games with the club in the 2000/01 season.

Haaland has emerged as one of the best finishers in the game, showcasing a range of quality strikes on both feet and from anywhere on the pitch.

And while standing at 191cm tall, his mobility and technical ability will suit the Guardiola system at City, and the prospect of that height and speed on the last line with Kevin De Bruyne feeding him is tantalising to say the least.

Romelu Lukaku

Speaking of size and pace, Romelu Lukaku certainly fits that bill. A return to the Premier League and a stint at the direct rivals of the team from which he was outed could just be of interest to the Belgian if City go in for him.

Lukaku was scapegoated at Manchester United and ultimately shipped to Inter just two seasons after a mega £75 million move from Everton.

The 27-year-old has scored 35 Serie A goals in 53 games since moving to the San Siro, guiding Inter to a title challenge last season and again in this campaign, with Antonio Conte’s side currently level at the top with rivals Milan.

Lukaku would arrive approaching his prime and already with over 100 Premier League goals under his belt.

But perhaps more importantly than that, Lukaku would have a point to prove back in England and a chip on his shoulder on the other side of Manchester.

Lautaro Martinez

Man City are long time admirers of Lukaku’s Inter team-mate Lautaro Martinez, and he is a player in particular that would fit a number of storylines at the Etihad.

Being Argentinian, Martinez could be the direct successor to Aguero and continue his countryman’s success at the club.

The 23-year-old seems to be a quintessential Guardiola centre forward – excellent technical ability, a nimble, fast mover and an intelligent player between the lines that shoulders the responsibility of more than just goalscoring.

Man City targets: Haaland vs Lukaku vs Martinez in 2020/21

Martinez broke through at Inter last season after a largely slow first season in Italy, with 14 goals and three assists. He already appears to be well on the way to surpassing that tally this season, with nine goals and three assists to his name in just over half the appearances.

Very much a modern day centre forward, Martinez would fit right in with Man City’s style of play and could be another brilliant attacking signing for the club.

Away from the centre-forward position, Man City are also on the lookout for a new central midfielder and have made their interest known in Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli.