He may not have been at his brilliant best this season, but Erling Haaland continues to deliver the goods for Manchester City, with the Norwegian sensation having still powered home 29 goals in just 39 games in 2024/25.
The fact that such a record has almost gone under the radar indicates the high bar that the 24-year-old had set in his previous two campaigns at the Etihad, having notably fired in 52 goals in only 53 appearances in the treble-winning season.
As this term has showcased, the former Borussia Dortmund man can’t do it all on his own, with the next highest scorer that of Phil Foden on just ten strikes in all competitions.
Thankfully, January arrival Omar Marmoush has already begun to fire with four goals in his first ten games for the club, yet further attacking recruits could well be needed to hand Pep Guardiola a fearsome forward line once again.
With Jack Grealish among those who could reportedly depart at the end of this season, that need for increased quality has only been heightened, with recent reports indicating that summer moves are already being made.
Latest on Man City's transfer search
It remains to be seen just how active Guardiola and co will be this summer, having already splashed out on four new arrivals in January, with the £59m capture of Marmoush the statement signing among the quartet.
Games (starts)
7
Goals
4
Assists
0
Big chances created
3
Key passes*
1.1
Pass accuracy*
83%
Tackles*
1.1
Interceptions*
0.4
Successful dribbles*
0.4
If the latest claims are anything to go by, those winter additions could well be merely the beginning of a total squad overhaul at the Etihad, with City making up for lost time after only recruiting Savinho and free transfer returnee Ilkay Gundogan, last summer.
As per reports in Spain, the reigning Premier League champions may well have already made moves to sign Real Madrid sensation, Rodrygo, in what would be another marquee swoop for the club.
Transfer Focus
Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.
The suggestion is that City officials have met with the Brazilian’s father regarding a summer move, with the Etihad side perhaps looking to capitalise on any potential uncertainty over the winger’s future at the Bernabeu, amid the presence of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.
The 24-year-old – whose current deal is set to expire in 2028 – has been touted for an exit ever since Mbappe arrived in the Spanish capital last year, having notably been linked with Guardiola’s side in the recent past.
Any potential deal for the former Santos starlet could well evoke memories of another South American signing from Madrid, in the form of Sergio Aguero.
Why Man City could sign their next Aguero
It was just over 14 years ago that the title hopefuls forked out a reported fee of £38m to prise a 23-year-old Aguero from LaLiga, with the Argentine departing Atletico Madrid having scored 101 goals in 234 games for the club.
A brace on debut against Swansea City kickstarted what would prove to be a glorious decade for the now-retired striker in Manchester, with the ageing marksman departing in 2021 with a club-record total of 260 goals to his name.
The signing of another exciting forward in Rodrygo could potentially represent another major success story, with the versatile attacker among “the best players in the world”, according to manager, Carlo Ancelotti.
While not a striker by trade, the 5 foot 9 speedster has emulated Aguero by operating through the middle on occasion for Los Blancos, having racked up 113 goals and assists in 258 games for his current side.
Much like the prolific Aguero, the Madrid man’s finishing prowess is “terrifyingly good”, in the words of journalist Sam Tighe, having previously been a thorn in the side of Guardiola’s men.
In just nine meetings with City in the Champions League, Rodrygo has already chalked up four goals and two assists to date, including a crucial, last-gasp brace in stoppage time in the 2022 semi-final thriller.
That impact will have certainly caught the eye of Guardiola, with the City boss even branding his potential future signing as the “danger man” amid their playoff tussle last month.
With the ability to play on either flank or through the middle, Rodrygo could make up a mouthwatering attacking unit involving himself, Haaland and Marmoush, with such a signing perhaps what is needed to elevate the Citizens back to the top of the domestic and European game again.
Having witnessed the success of plucking Aguero from the Spanish capital, what would be the harm in repeating the trick once again?
Big upgrade on Foden: Man City want to sign "world-class" £108m star
Manchester City are looking to upgrade on Phil Foden with this standout buy.
ByKelan SarsonMar 25, 2025