LONDON: Manchester City have agreed a £51m fee for Borussia Dortmund’s free-scoring Norway striker Erling Haaland.

City have triggered the release clause for the 21-year-old former RB Salzburg star who has scored 85 times in 88 games in all competitions for Dortmund and contributed 23 assists.

A City statement said: “We can confirm that we have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of striker Erling Haaland. The transfer remains subject to the club finalising terms with the player.”

Haaland, who passed his City medical in Belgium on Monday, has scored 85 goals in 88 appearances for Dortmund since joining from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.

LaLiga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona had spoken to Haaland in vain about a potential deal. His father Alf-Inge is a former midfielder at the club.

City tried hard to buy Harry Kane from Tottenham last summer but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy refused to sell. Kane still has two years left on his contract.

Haaland has scored 92 league goals in 121 appearances for Molde, Red Bull Salzburg and Dortmund.

Last year he became the youngest player to reach 20 Champions League goals.

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