Haaland, Kane and Man City’s shortlist to replace Ferran Torres

James Shearman
James Shearman
  • 28 Dec 2021 13:53 GMT
  • 4 min read
Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, 2021/22
© ProShots

Manchester City have officially sold Ferran Torres to Barcelona in a €65 million deal.

Torres had performed well under City boss Pep Guardiola as either a winger or in a false nine role.

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As such, the 21-year-old became subject to interest from Xavi's Barcelona and has now opted for a return to Spain.

This is the Citizens' record transfer sale, meaning they have plenty of money to spend on a replacement. So, who are the best candidates for the role?

Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)

Every single elite club in Europe now wants Haaland following his fantastic performances for Dortmund over the past couple of seasons.

However, given the links to his father Alf-Inge, Manchester City may feel they are in pole position to sign the Norwegian.

It remains highly unlikely that Dortmund will sanction a mid-season transfer, but their stance may change if an enormous offer comes in, given Haaland will have a €75m release clause next summer.

Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)

Fiorentina's main man Dusan Vlahovic is one of the most in-form players, let alone forwards, in all of Europe.

The 21-year-old took a while to develop, scoring just once in 21 league games over a span of two years at Partizan Belgrade.

Dusan Vlahovic has scored 33 league goals in 2021
© ProShots - Dusan Vlahovic has scored 33 league goals in 2021

It then took him a year after his Serie A debut, in September 2019, to score his first goal in Italian football, but since then, he has shown himself to be a force to be reckoned with in front of goal.

The Serbian scored 21 goals in Serie A in 2020/21 and already has 16 goals this term. He will be a costly purchase for Manchester City, even more so in January as the Viola won't want him gone mid-season.

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

City failed to land their number one centre-forward target in the summer of 2022 but that doesn't mean they won't try again in January, even if Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy will demand an enormous fee again.

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