Victor Osimhen cited after source's Man City striker signing reveal - pundit

Man City will find it "tough" to bring in a striker while Erling Haaland remains at the club.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson claimed the Citizens would struggle to bring in an appropriately talented forward as they "won't be happy" to play second fiddle to the league's top goal scorer.

As revealed by Football Insider (11 December), Pep Guardiola's side could enter the market for a new striker in January if the Norwegian's current injury worsens.

Haaland was absent from the squad on Saturday (16 December) when Man City suffered a shock 2-2 draw at the Etihad after a late Crystal Palace equaliser.

Guardiola admitted he "doesn't know" when the striker will return following his foot injury and has not played since City's 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa earlier this month (6 December).

Robinson feels the club would have a lot of work to do to bring a Victor Osimhen-level talent to Manchester and backed Julian Alvarez to fill in for Haaland in the meantime.

"It's a tough sell," he told Football Insider.

"Tottenham had the same situation when Harry Kane was there, and it's the same situation now with Haaland at City.

"When Haaland's fit and it's a big game, he plays. It's hard to attract a City-level striker as a replacement.

"With all the strikers in world football, there's one or two that would maybe make you think about who should start over Haaland.

"Victor Osimhen, you look at that level of striker - but he's not going to be happy to go to City if Haaland's there.

"Julian Alvarez can do a job there. They will never get a direct replacement for Haaland because it's a tough sell and they won't be happy to sit on the bench."

In other news, Sources: Man City told Everton they want £7.5m loan fee.