Kieran Maguire issues two-word verdict on Man City signing Erling Haaland amid ‘£180m’ claim
The cost of a deal for Erling Haaland will be “no problem” for Man City as they could soon earn £180million per year in the Champions League.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about City’s chances of signing the Norwegian superstar.
City are ready to make the striker, whose Borussia Dortmund deal expires in 2024, the league’s top earner, per the Daily Mail on Tuesday (15 March).
Agent fees and signing on bonuses could take the total cost of the transfer beyond £100m, while the 21-year-old could take home £500,000 per week.
Uefa have confirmed that the Champions League will almost double its total number of matches in an expanded 36-team format from 2024.
And Maguire claims that the extra revenue generated by the competition will further boost City’s budget for big-name signings.
“City have got pretty good wage control,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“In pre-Covid times, wages were 59 per cent of turnover. Even in 2021, when they played behind closed doors, that figure was still only 62 per cent.
“They have got some flexibility there. The reason for that is that they make a lot of progress in Europe.
“They have got one eye on the future. Getting to the final in the revamped Champions League after 2024 could be worth £180m by the time you factor in prize, sponsorship, and attendance money.
“In that respect, signing Haaland is no problem. While City are sniped at by some, they generate huge money from their commercial operation.
“They are now a global brand. That will help them negotiate further deals.
“Broadcast income is also going up because of their Uefa coefficient and the fact they finish in the top two in the Premier League.”
City are into the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League where they will face Ateltico Madrid.
Haaland, whose Dortmund side was eliminated in the group stage, has scored an astonoshing 23 goals in 22 appearnces in 2021-22.
In other news, pundit suggests Man City are trying to sign the “wrong” striker after Sky’s Harry Kane update.