THE WAD COUPLE

The message was loud and clear, there’s a definite bond between the wonderkids Foden and Haaland.. so will that boost big-money talks between City and the star striker?

ERLING HAALAND and Phil Foden added to the intrigue over the forward’s future with their covert chat at the Etihad Stadium.

After Foden had plundered a 90th-minute winner to give Manchester City a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, he sought out Haaland.

The pair cupped their hands over their mouths, as is customary among the modernday player to hide what they were saying, but their smiles suggested a chat which went beyond ‘thanks for the game’.

The significance of the exchange, with Haaland City’s first-choice target to replace Sergio Aguero this summer, was not lost on the BT Sport panel analysing the game.

“I wonder what’s been said there,” said Gary Lineker. “‘See you next season’?”

“See you next year, see you next year,” replied Rio Ferdinand (inset). If City get their wish, Foden and Haaland will be lining up together in blue next season, the 20-year-olds arguably the most exciting young talents in Europe, around whom Pep Guardiola could build a side to dominate for years.

Haaland was in the crowd with his father, former City midfielder Alf-inge, at the Etihad Stadium in November 2017 when Foden made his debut as a late sub in a Champions League tie against Feyenoord.

Then playing for Molde, under Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Haaland took advantage of free time during the international break to take in a Premier League game with his dad at the club he supported growing up.

A former member of the Scandinavian branch of the City supporter’s group on Facebook, Haaland was captured by TV cameras saying “it’s beautiful, isn’t it?” to Dortmund team-mate Jude Bellingham as the pair walked out on to the pitch at the Etihad for a final training session on Monday. In the game itself, Haaland was far from his explosive, ruthless best, which said as much for City’s suppression of his threat as it did for his own subdued performance, with his goal drought now standing at four games, the longest of his career.

But Haaland showed glimpses of the prodigious talent that has seen him plunder 49 goals in 50 games for Dortmund. He left his mark on the tie, providing the assist for Marco Reus to plunder a precious away goal.

Foden and Haaland are set to take centre-stage again in next week’s return leg, in what could be a precursor to the friends joining forces next season – a frightening prospect for the rest of the Premier League and City’s Champions League rivals.

IF A LINESMAN CAN GET HIM TO SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE..