How Man City could line up with Haaland AND Mbappe

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

It has seemed like a foregone conclusion for over a year that Kylian Mbappe would eventually leave Paris Saint-Germain for Real Madrid.

The World Cup winner is out of contract in June, and it is already free to talk to other clubs about a free transfer.

On transfer deadline day last summer, Real Madrid tabled an outrageous €200 million bid for Mbappe in full knowledge they could sign him for free a year later. Paris Saint-Germain didn't even bother to respond to the bid, and negotiations never happened.

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Mbappe remains one of the most expensive players in history, having joined PSG from Monaco for a cool €140m.

So, the French giants are facing the possibility of losing the second most expensive footballer ever (after Neymar) for free which is a disaster any way you look at it.

Madrid are desperate to sign Mbappe, but according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester City have now emerged as genuine contenders for his signature.

It was announced this week that Man City are progressing in negotiations to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and have tempted the Norwegian with reported wages of £500,000 per week.

Fichajes reports that Pep Guardiola is keen to revamp his Man City squad with the acquisitions of two players that many consider to be the top young stars in world football.

But, how would the duo fit into the current City team?

How would Man City line up with Haaland and Mbappe?

Ederson remains one of the world's best goalkeepers and will start in goal in front of a back four likely consisting of Kyle Walker, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo.

Aymeric Laporte is also an option but the Spain international fell out of the team last season due to the impressive resurgence of Stones. Guardiola does enjoying rotating in this position due to the quality of all three players.

Cancelo can also play at right-back which would allow Oleksandr Zinchenko to come in on the opposite flank.

Fernandinho recently announced his summer departure from City, with Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva again the preferred midfield three, though Ilkay Gundogan will see plenty of game time.

It is in the front three positions that Man City hold a variety of options.

Should the aforementioned superstars arrive, Guardiola will have to choose between Mbappe, Haaland, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus.

It is likely Foden would be the player to partner Mbappe and Haaland.