Manchester City are preparing for life after Erling Haaland as the Norwegian superstar continues to be linked with a potential blockbuster move to Real Madrid. With Haaland’s stellar form catching the eye, the Premier League champions are reportedly already considering his successor — none other than Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, a name previously linked with Arsenal.
Since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has been nothing short of extraordinary, scoring an incredible 101 goals in just 109 appearances. His goal-scoring prowess has powered City to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and a Champions League crown. Yet, despite City’s best efforts to tie him down to a longer contract, Haaland has shown interest in exploring a future with Real Madrid. Sky Sports reports that his current contract contains a €150million (£125m) release clause, which could facilitate a move to Madrid as early as 2026.
As Haaland’s potential departure looms, City are reportedly eyeing Viktor Gyokeres as a prime candidate to fill the void. The 26-year-old Swedish forward has been in sensational form since joining Sporting Lisbon from Coventry, scoring an impressive 55 goals in 62 games. City are already believed to be in talks with Gyokeres’ representatives, and the move could align with a significant leadership change at the Etihad.
Sporting’s director of football, Hugo Viana, is set to replace Manchester City’s long-serving director of football, Txiki Begiristain, at the end of the 2024/25 season. Viana’s arrival at City could smooth the path for a Gyokeres transfer, as the two already share a close working relationship.
In a statement, City acknowledged Begiristain’s upcoming departure: “[Txiki] will leave his current post following the Club’s involvement in this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup and will be succeeded by Hugo Viana of Sporting CP. Viana will begin his full-time role in the summer of 2025, but will collaborate with Txiki in the preceding months to ensure a smooth transition. We look forward to paying tribute to Txiki’s outstanding contribution to Manchester City at the end of the season.”
Viana, who previously made 39 Premier League appearances for Newcastle United as a player, has earned a stellar reputation at Sporting, contributing to the club’s recent success under highly-rated manager Ruben Amorim. With his arrival at City, all eyes are on whether he can secure Gyokeres to lead City’s next generation of attacking talent.
