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An “exciting” attacker now wants to join Crystal Palace, despite interest from rival Premier League clubs, as he is keen to play under Oliver Glasner, according to a report.

Palace looking to sign Eze replacement

Despite featuring in Palace’s Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday, it appears as though Eberechi Eze’s time at Selhurst Park is coming to an end, having made it clear he wants to join Tottenham Hotspur.

As such, the Eagles are now looking to sign a replacement for their talisman, who controversially had a free-kick ruled out by VAR in what could be his final appearance for the club.

Leicester City’s Bilal El Khannouss, who is valued at £20m+, has emerged as one of the main targets to replace Eze, but there is set to be competition for his signature, with West Ham United and Newcastle United also named as potential suitors.

However, there has now been a positive update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of El Khannouss, with it being revealed the attacking midfielder wants to move to Selhurst Park, despite interest from elsewhere.

The Belgium-born attacker is attracted by the prospect of playing under Glasner, and positive talks have now been held over a deal.

Transfer expert Graeme Bailey also added: “I am told that El Khannouss has been considering his options and they are plentiful – varying from England, Europe and Saudi Arabia. However, Palace sources are very happy with how talks have gone, and they like the player.”

El Khannouss could be "exciting" Eze replacement

Prior to his move to Leicester, the Moroccan received very high praise from scout Jacek Kulig, who described the youngster as “one of the most exciting young advanced playmakers in world football”.

Crystal Palace receive reply to £27.6m bid for 21-goal star

He would be a big-money signing at Selhurst Park.

BySean Markus Clifford Aug 19, 2025

Despite his talent, the starlet was unable to lead the Foxes to safety last season, but he is still very young at 21-years-old, and some of the Leicester ace’s performances last season indicate he could flourish in a better side.

Perhaps most notably, the maestro impressed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola last December, saying: “He (Guardiola) said he was impressed by my play today. I am not. I know myself and this is the player I can be. I have to show that every week now.”

El Khannouss has gotten off to a fantastic start to the Championship campaign, picking up two assists in two games, but given his potential, the 22-time Morocco international belongs in the Premier League, and he could be a fantastic long-term replacement for Eze.

Glasgow Celtic have enjoyed regular dominance in Scotland in recent years, with the Hoops’ shrewd signings playing a major role in that success.

Those at Parkhead aren’t known to splash the cash like other clubs across Europe but have become serial winners. The likes of Martin O’Neill, Neil Lennon, Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers have all spent money when allowed to do so, but who is Celtic’s most expensive signing of all time?

Celtic's most expensive sales of all time

Celtic have let some of their finest talents move for big money in the past.

ByCharlie Smith Oct 3, 2025

Here’s the top 10, with one player actually appearing on the list twice.

Rank

Player

Fee

Signed from

Year

Arne Engels

£11m

Augsburg

2024

Adam Idah

£9.5m

Norwich City

2024

Odsonne Edouard

£8m

PSG

2018

Jota

£8m

Rennes

2025

Christopher Jullien

£7m

Toulouse

2019

Jota

£6.5m

Benfica

2022

Auston Trusty

£6m

Sheffield United

2024

Cameron Carter-Vickers

£6m

Tottenham

2022

John Hartson

£6m

Coventry City

2001

Chris Sutton

£6m

Chelsea

2000

Celtic’s 10 most expensive signings in detail 10 Chris Sutton £6m from Chelsea

Now known for his role as a pundit and co-commentator, Chris Sutton was a goalscorer during his playing days and moved to Celtic Park in 2000.

The Englishman had starred for Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers before joining Chelsea in 1999, and after a 12-month stint at Stamford Bridge, headed to Scotland for £6m.

Sutton would score more than 80 goals in just under 200 appearances for the Hoops, winning eight major honours in Scotland.

9 John Hartson £6m from Coventry City

Sutton’s strike partner at Celtic was Welshman John Hartson, who also cost £6m a year later in 2001 from Coventry City.

A powerful centre-forward, Hartson actually made more appearances for Celtic than any other club he represented, outscoring Sutton in their Hoops careers. He won six major honours at Parkhead before being sold to West Brom in 2006.

8 Cameron Carter-Vickers £6m from Tottenham

After multiple loan spells away from Tottenham, Cameron Carter-Vickers found a permanent home at Parkhead in 2022 following a successful season with the Hoops a year before.

Celtic paid Tottenham £6m for the USA centre-back, who has gone from strength to strength in Glasgow and has since been linked with a mega-money transfer back to the Premier League.

7 Auston Trusty £6m from Sheffield United

Another American defender to join Celtic was Auston Trusty, who made the move in 2024 after Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League.

Trusty made 37 appearances in his first season as a Hoops player, winning two trophies. He’s under contract until 2029.

6 Jota £6.5m from Benfica

Portuguese winger Jota starred on loan at Celtic from Benfica in the 2021/22 season, and his transfer was made permanent for £6.5m at the end of the campaign.

The attacker would become a fan favourite and get even better a year later as the Hoops won the treble, however, he was then sold to Al Ittihad for a whopping £25m. More on Jota to come…

5 Christopher Jullien £7m from Toulouse

Towering centre-back Christopher Jullien became Celtic’s first summer signing in 2019, with Neil Lennon the manager to sign the French defender.

Unfortunately, Jullien suffered with injury during his time with the Hoops and was sold to Montpellier for a fraction of the fee in 2022.

4 Jota £8m from Rennes

After a failed time in Saudi Arabia, Jota was then sold to Rennes in France, but again struggled to hit the heights of his time at Celtic.

The Hoops were then in negotiations to sell Kyogo Furuhashi to the Ligue 1 side in 2025, and they used the money to bring Jota back to Parkhead in a deal worth £8m.

So, in total, Celtic have spent just under £15m on Jota in two transfers, while selling him once for £25m – good business.

3 Odsonne Edouard £8m from PSG

After starring on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017/18 season, Celtic made Odsonne Edouard’s transfer permanent for a then-club-record £8m fee.

The Hoops at the time described it as the “biggest transfer” in their history, with the French forward continuing to score goals for fun in Scotland. Celtic still made a healthy profit on Edouard, cashing in for £14m when Crystal Palace came in on deadline day in 2021.

Games

179

Goals

87

Assists

37

Minutes played

12,199

Trophies won

11

2 Adam Idah £9.5m from Norwich City

Another striker who cost big money after impressing on loan was Adam Idah. The Republic of Ireland international spent the second half of the 2023/24 campaign at Parkhead from Norwich City and scored some big goals for the Hoops, including a late winner in their Scottish Cup final against Rangers.

Celtic then spent £9.5m on Idah and handed him a five-year deal in Glasgow.

1 Arne Engels £11m from Augsburg

Top of the charts as Celtic’s most expensive signing of all time is midfielder Arne Engels. The Belgian joined in the same summer as Idah as the Hoops really splashed the cash in 2024.

Engels, who was only 20 when he signed, starred in his first season, winning the Scottish Premiership and Scottish League Cup.

Andy Flower is not a man for the limelight, but that should take nothing away from his enormous contribution to England’s first Ashes triumph in Australia in 24 years

Andrew Miller at the SCG07-Jan-2011One man was noticeable by his absence from the podium as England celebrated their feat of retaining the Ashes in Australia, but perhaps that’s because he was already plotting his next step towards world domination. “He’s a guy who prefers to lurk in the shadows a bit,” said the captain Andrew Strauss of his friend, ally and fellow strategist Andy Flower. “He’s not good at smiling for starters, so that would have been a bit of a hindrance.”Despite his preference for keeping a low profile, Flower is sure to be showered with plaudits in the coming weeks. There has been scarcely an aspect of England’s Ashes campaign that has been anything less than meticulously thought through – from the identity of the combatants to the preparations for each of the Test matches, which included sneak previews of three of the five venues during England’s warm-up period, as well as the decision to send the frontline bowlers to Brisbane a week early, to acclimatise for the most tropical venue of the tour.But now, as the satisfaction of another job well done sinks in, England’s thoughts are already drifting towards the second of their winter’s twin peaks – the World Cup in the subcontinent, where their stated aim of becoming the No. 1 side in the world will be tested with the sort of dramatic format switch that the great Australian sides of the 1990s and 2000s used to take in their formidable strides.As Strauss admitted in the immediate aftermath of victory, there’s little time to sit and take stock of one’s achievements in this game. He himself learnt that at first hand when part of his first great England team in 2005, which scaled one peak in regaining the Ashes in those emotional scenes at The Oval, only to tumble into the very first crevice on the subsequent tour to Pakistan.”In the 18 months leading up to 2005 we had had a similar situation where all 11 guys were contributing all the time and that doesn’t happen all that often, although you’d love it to,” said Strauss. “When it does happen you tend to think, well, we can keep doing this forever, and that is the one hint of caution for us: there are going to be tough times ahead, we are not going to win by an innings every time we play and we have to keep striving to get better because if we don’t other teams will pass us.”That is where Flower’s groundwork comes into play. It was noticeable on the morning of the final day at Sydney that the ECB media department was working overtime with a flood of press releases – firstly to confirm that the bowling coach David Saker, another key appointment, had signed a three-year contract extension; then to announce that England’s bowler of the series, James Anderson, had been awarded a ten-day break to spend time with his new-born daughter ahead of the rest of England’s winter.Such attention to detail may seem trivial, but when taken as a whole it is invaluable – and Strauss was quick to credit Flower for the meticulous nature of the tour. “The vast majority of the work he does is behind closed doors, both in planning, preparation, looking forward, getting practice right. He’s not a guy for the limelight.”The management team is always here an hour before we turn up, making sure practice is going to work as smoothly as possible,” added Strauss. “He’s not doing this job for accolades; he’s doing it because he desperately wants England to improve. When he finally does finish he can look back and say ‘I was part of something pretty special’.”Way back in the mists of time, when Kevin Pietersen instigated his infamous coup against Peter Moores, Flower was among the men whom he wished to throw out with the bathwater – precisely because Flower was not the sort of character to seek attention in his role, which at the time was to be loyal to Moores, the man who had appointed him, and quietly learn the coaching ropes after two decades as a top-level player. Pietersen overlooked his qualities, because he was not trying to make himself noticed.However, since Flower’s appointment as England’s No. 1 – which happened, to all intents and purposes, at the precise moment that the team crashed to 51 all out in Jamaica – his expertise and quiet authority has captured the attention of the squad. After all, this is a man whose final act in international cricket was to look a murderous dictator in the eye and challenge him to change. After that black-armband protest against Robert Mugabe at the 2003 World Cup, perspective is automatically leant to any sporting achievement.”He’s been immense. He’s been incredible,” said Strauss. “Andy Flower is a guy we all respect a lot for what he’s achieved and how he holds himself in the dressing room. Often you can’t describe what he brings to the side, because it’s just a multitude of little things. Little conversations he has with people, little thoughts he puts onto paper that he actually puts into practice. The way he works with the backroom staff is as good as I’ve seen in county and international cricket.”Flower took his undoubted ability as a batsman and wicketkeeper, and allied it to an unbreakable will to turn himself into the world’s No. 1-ranked batsman, which was no mean feat for a player whose daily duty in the Zimbabwe side was to steel himself for yet another defeat – 34 in 63 Tests all told, despite his own world-class average of 51.54. That quest for self-improvement is a hallmark of the England squad that he has helped to create, and one of the men who buys into that the most is none other than the captain, Strauss.”I think the more you do the job, the more you learn the way you interact with people off the pitch, because experience counts for a huge amount,” he said of his own captaincy career. “I have been doing the job for a couple of years now and hopefully there is a couple left as well. In that sense I am excited about what we can achieve going forward. For the bowlers to bowl like they did, day-in day-out over five Tests is an exceptional effort. We have good depth and we will need it as the schedule is tough and we are going to get injuries.”We’ve had an amazing two months since we got here but we’ve already said we want to improve, that’s one of our team ethoses,” said Alastair Cook, whose own partnership with Flower grew in stature during his spell as captain in Bangladesh, and whose tally of 766 runs was the outstanding performance of the Ashes.”He won’t let us have an easy time. He will demand that we get better and better. That will hold us in good stead,” Cook added. “Whether I can achieve again what I’ve achieved here, it would be amazing. I honestly cannot believe what I’ve just done, and the team as well. I think we’ll sit here and enjoy today then worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.”Flower, however, will worry about tomorrow today. That’s what it takes to attain greatness.

Tottenham striker Richarlison has been having some fun on social media and has claimed the prestigious Ballon d’Or for himself ahead of Monday’s big ceremony. The Brazilian hasn’t been nominated for the Golden Ball but has posted a picture of himself holding the famous trophy on Instagram. Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal are the two favourites for the award.

Richarlison dreaming of Ballon d'Or

Ahead of Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony, Richarlison has been enjoying himself on social media. The Brazilian star has posted an image of himself holding the Golden Ball trophy and added the caption "this is not fake" along with a laughing emoji. 

AdvertisementGetty/GOALDembele and Yamal the favourites to win Ballon d'Or

The 2025 Ballon d'Or looks set to go to either Dembele or Yamal after both players enjoyed stunning seasons in 2024-25. Dembele was in inspirational form as he fired PSG to four trophies, including a first ever Champions League triumph. Meanwhile, Yamal was integral for Barcelona and ended the campaign with La Liga, Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup titles.   

Richarlison's Ballon d'Or rant

Richarlison made his feelings about the Ballon d'Or particularly clear last year after seeing Rodri pip Brazil team-mate Vinicius Jr to the prestigious prize. The Tottenham star raged on Instagram: "All of us who live football eagerly await the individual awards each season. Today, all Brazilians who love football woke up expecting to see another player from our country win an award for the best in the world after so long. Unfortunately, for reasons that no one can understand, the award did not come. And don’t get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best. But Vini not winning the Ballon d’Or was embarrassing, and the only one who lost today was football. I remember Vini saying that his dream was to see the whole of Brazil cheering for him. And that day was today! ou are a giant and the best in the world, kid! And no trophy will change that. Keep going and never shut up! We’re together."   

Getty Images SportTottenham set for Doncaster test in EFL Cup

Richarlison may be dreaming of winning the Ballon d'Or, but he may well be brought down to earth on Tuesday when Tottenham face Doncaster Rovers in the third round of the EFL Cup.  

Tottenham are planning a part-exchange bid worth a total of £40 million, including the value of Emerson Royal, as Ange Postecoglou's side set their sights on signing a "strong" player.

Spurs looking to seal new midfielder deal this summer

Widespread reports have suggested that Spurs are looking to bring in a new midfield number six this summer, and one who could add more dynamism in the middle of the park.

Paratici tells Levy to sign £50 million star with Tottenham man set for axe

The Italian still has a real influence at N17.

ByEmilio Galantini May 24, 2024

Tottenham are ready to fund multiple key signings for Postecoglou, which includes a new man in the engine room (Tom Allnutt), as uncertainty surrounds the futures of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Giovani Lo Celso and even Yves Bissouma.

Hojbjerg is looking very likely to quit Spurs after a 2023/2024 season with limited opportunities in Postecoglou's starting eleven, and his contract is set to expire in 2025. The Dane could leave for nothing next year, so it is wide for chairman Daniel Levy to listen to offers for Hojbjerg as we approach the transfer window's opening.

“I think Hojbjerg is almost certain to leave Tottenham in the summer," said journalist Paul Brown to GiveMeSport.

"He's been available for the right price in the last two windows. He is willing to move on if a new challenge arises. He is not the first choice in his position, and at this stage of his career, I think he wants to be playing somewhere where he can start week-to-week.

“Three or four massive clubs have been sniffing around him for the last few months, and I think he would jump at the chance to join. None of them were willing to do a permanent deal for the kind of money that Spurs wanted. They were looking at loans primarily, which is not of interest to Tottenham. But I think in the summer that might change. His price will drop slightly because his contract has less time to run, and I think he will likely leave.”

Manor Solomon *injured for large periods*

198

Bryan Gil

203

Giovani Lo Celso

498

Oliver Skipp

695

Rodrigo Bentancur *injured for large periods*

1010

Lo Celso has hardly been picked by Postecoglou either, making him a sure-fire candidate for the exit door, while it is believed that Tottenham could even consider selling Bissouma if a suitable offer comes in.

If one or two of the aforementioned depart, which is possible, then Postecoglou will require a suitable replacement. Tottenham remain linked with Chelsea star Conor Gallagher and Atalanta midfielder Ederson as two options, but new names appear on a consistent basis as well.

Tottenham planning part-exchange bid for Davide Frattesi

According to Inter Live, it is believed Sassuolo midfielder Davide Frattesi, currently on loan at Inter Milan, is now a target.

Tottenham could launch a part-exchange bid for Frattesi in the next few weeks, including exit-bound defender Emerson, for an operation totaling around £40 million including the Brazilian's value.

This could hand Spurs an advantage over fellow interested sides, and he'd be worth a punt after his excellent campaign at Inter. Frattesi has also been called a "strong" player by Italy teammate Nicolo Barella.

MatériaMais Notícias

da betway： O sinal de alerta está mais do que ligado no Fortaleza. No último sábado, o Leão visitou o Bahia e voltou para casa com uma derrota por 4 a 2.

+ Veja no aplicativo do LANCE! o resultado dos jogos da rodada

O placar mostra que o time de Pablo Vojvoda atravessa um momento mais delicado na competição, já que ele não venceu nos últimos quatro jogos.

Desde o triunfo contra o Palmeiras no Allianz Parque, a equipe nordestina obteve três empates e um revés.

O desempenho prejudicou o Fortaleza na hora de subir na classificação, já que o time está ’empacado’ no 3º lugar.

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The hugely talented allrounder batted throughout the third day’s play against New South Wales

Andrew McGlashan21-Oct-2020There is a sense of uncertainty in Australian cricket about how soon 21-year-old Cameron Green should be promoted to the national set up – it’s a question of when, not if – but a career-best 185, as he batted throughout the third day against New South Wales, suggested as a batsman he is not far away.Green’s impressive stay, which followed a century from Sam Whiteman, led a strong Western Australia response as they closed within touching distance of the New South Wales total. Unless there is an agreement between the captains on the final day – or the defending champions stumble in a nothing-to-gain third innings – it is difficult to see how there will be a positive result on a docile surface.Green’s technique and composure stood out as he did not lose his patience when kept quiet in the 80s and bombarded by a sustained short-ball attack which occasionally had him in some awkward positions, although the gentle nature of the pitch made it a back-breaking tactic for the quicks.He brought up his fourth first-class hundred from 250 balls when he drove Nathan Lyon through the covers and he was still there at stumps having faced 378 deliveries. He is being held back from bowling in the early stages of the season after a series back problems but even without that part of his game he could be in the selection frame.Whiteman had resumed on 81 and brought up his fifth first-class hundred from 193 balls before the third-wicket stand of 173 was ended when he top edged a pull into the leg side to give Sean Abbott his third scalp early in the afternoon session. Whiteman’s run of Shield scores since the second part of last season reads 53, 4, 51, 110, 65, 18 and 114.It was a day of toil for the New South Wales attack, but Harry Conway was rewarded for a hard-working spell when Ashton Turner edged to gully although there was never a suggestion of a clatter of wickets that would have opened up the game.Ashton Agar settled in alongside Green to further chip away at New South Wales’ advantage until he was trapped lbw by his opposite number Lyon. There had been some concern earlier in the day when Lyon appeared to be feeling some discomfort in his right shoulder after attempting a run out attempt during the first session, but he was able to send down 40 overs and added Aaron Hardie leg before with one that gripped nicely.

Rajasthan Royals: Played 13, Points 12, NRR -0.377
The Rajasthan Royals’ need to beat the Kolkata Knight Riders to keep their hopes alive. The elimination of the Kings XI has only very marginally simplified their task, in that, if the Sunrisers beat the Mumbai Indians in their last game, then the Royals’ net run rate (NRR) should be above that of the loser of the Capitals-Royal Challengers match.If the Capitals lose by a run, chasing 160, the Royals need to win in around 13.5 overs (also chasing 160). If the Royal Challengers lose by a run, chasing 160, the Royals need to win in around 13.2 overs (also chasing 160).However, given the Royals’ poor NRR, their best bet for qualification will be if the Sunrisers lose their last match. Then, the Royals will progress to the playoffs without NRR coming into play, if they beat the Knight Riders.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Kolkata Knight Riders: Played 13, Points 12, NRR -0.467
The Knight Riders are in a similar situation as the Royals, their opponents on Sunday, except that their NRR is a bit poorer. Hence, the best-case scenario for them is exactly what applies to Royals: to hope that the Sunrisers lose their last game. Then, the Knight Riders will qualify as the fourth team if they beat the Royals.If the Sunrisers win their last game, then the Knight Riders will have to win by a big enough margin which lifts their NRR above that of the loser of the Capitals-Royal Challengers match. If the Capitals lose by a run, chasing 160, the Knight Riders need to win by 77 runs. If the Royal Challengers lose by a run, chasing 160, the Knight Riders need to win by 80 runs.Royal Challengers Bangalore: Played 13, Points 14, NRR -0.145
The Kings XI’s defeat has improved the qualification chances of the Royal Challengers, even if they lose to the Capitals on Monday. If they lose on Monday, they can qualify if their NRR stays above that of the winner of the Knight Riders’ game against the Royals. If the Sunrisers lose to the Mumbai Indians, then the Royal Challengers will be through without NRR coming into play, despite a defeat to the Capitals.They will want to beat the Capitals, though, as that will secure them second place on the points table.Delhi Capitals: Played 13, Points 14, NRR -0.159
Not only have the Capitals lost their last four matches, they have also lost three by huge margins, which has shaved off a whopping 0.933 from their NRR.The Capitals are now in a similar situation as the Royal Challengers, their opponents on Monday. If they win, they will finish second; if they lose, their survival will depend on the Sunrisers-Mumbai game, and the margin of the Knight Riders-Royals match.Sunrisers Hyderabad: Played 13, Points 12, NRR 0.555
The Sunrisers have made a late surge and have an excellent NRR, but their last game is against table-toppers Mumbai Indians. However, apart from the NRR, what might work in their favour is the fact that they will play Mumbai in Sharjah, the same venue where they beat the Royal Challengers so emphatically.The equation for the Sunrisers is the simplest: beat Mumbai, and they will be through regardless of other results; lose the match, and they will be out.

Northants’ Blast signing Paul Stirling had contact with Northern Knights players after returning to Belfast

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Sep-2020Cricket Ireland has cancelled an interprovincial T20 scheduled for Wednesday because of concerns about a possible Covid-19 “chain of transmission” to the Bob Willis Trophy match between Northamptonshire and Gloucestershire that was abandoned at the weekend.The T20 between Munster Reds and Northern Knights was due to take place in Cork, but was called off before the Knights travelled down on Tuesday. Cricket Ireland said that Paul Stirling, the Ireland batsman who has been playing for Northants in the Vitality T20 Blast, had come into contact with some Knights players and although he was not part of the squad the game would not go ahead.Northamptonshire have maintained largely separate red- and white-ball squads, and have not revealed the name of the player whose positive test led to the Bristol abandonment. However, three of his flatmates are part of the T20 set-up along with Stirling, who had taken advantage of the break in Blast fixtures to return home to Belfast.Cricket Ireland’s high performance director Richard Holdsworth said that they had been waiting for confirmation from Northamptonshire that the three had all tested negative, but one result had not come back time.”While highly unfortunate, we have taken a risk management approach to our decision,” Holdsworth said. “There is absolutely no suggestion that Paul has contracted the virus, but until all three tests of his Northants team-mates have been returned, we don’t know conclusively whether the chain of transmission has been broken.”This is a case of a ‘close contact of a possible close contact’, but while Paul is somewhat removed from the player who tested positive, we left the decision on the game as late as possible to see whether Northants had received the test results of Paul’s team-mates.”Paul wasn’t in the squad for tomorrow’s game but had been in contact with some Knights team-mates over the weekend. Given the lengthy bus trip the Knights have to take for the match in Cork, they were heading down today and staying overnight in Cork. We delayed the bus departure time as long as we could hoping Northants would get the test result, but it didn’t come in time, so we reluctantly had to cancel the trip as a precaution.”These are unprecedented actions, but we are concerned first and foremost with protecting the health and safety of players, staff, match officials, volunteers and those family members close to the players.”

Manchester City chiefs are set to pursue a new deal for one of their brightest young stars "as soon as possible" after an update on his future emerged this week.

Man City transfer news

Pep Guardiola's side have really found their groove of late, as they threaten to once again go on an unstoppable run in the Premier League and seal yet another title this season. That has been down to the manager and also so many key players hitting top form, with the return of Kevin De Bruyne huge, and the likes of Phil Foden and Erling Haaland also shining.

City continue to be linked with potential new signings in the summer, as Guardiola further looks to strengthen his squad, with West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta seen as a strong contender to come in, having nearly made the move there last year.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is also seen as a potential target for the reigning Premier League champions, should he leave his current club at the end of the season.

Retaining the services of current key men has to be seen as important as new faces arriving, however, and a big update has now emerged regarding the future of one such player.

Man City want new deal for Erling Haaland

According to AS [via Sport Witness], Manchester City want Erling Haaland to sign a new contract at the club, hoping to seal an extension "as soon as possible".

They will "push to renew" the Norwegian superstar's stay at the Etihad in order to stave off the threat of him joining Real Madrid in the near future, with the La Liga giants' preference for the signing of Kylian Mbappe leading City chiefs to beleive they have "free rein" to secure Haaland long term.

Losing Haaland so soon doesn't bear thinking about for City supporters, considering he is arguably the greatest centre forward in world football at the moment. He has been nothing short of astonishing during his time at the club to date, scoring 73 goals in just 79 appearances.

Guardiola will no doubt be desperate to keep him for as long as possible, with the legendary Spaniard heaping praise on his player earlier this month, saying:

"It is unbelievable how many goals he has scored – so many important goals to help us win games. He is a unique person, as a player but also the person is special. He deserved the guard of honour. It is an incredible milestone. One day maybe he will break his record or someone else will, but they will have to score a lot of goals."

Erling Haaland key career stats	Appearances	Goals
Man City	79	73
Borussia Dortmund	89	86
RB Salzburg	27	29
Norway	29	27

The fact that Mbappe looks Madrid-bound suggests they surely wouldn't be able to afford Haaland as well this summer, acting as a boost to City, but there will always be the worry that the 23-year-old's head could eventually be turned by a move there, as they continue to acquire some of the best players in the world.