Haal agent not a thorn in City plan
in the scramble for Haaland, 20, who looks set to be sold at a premium price by Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season – with a buy-out clause in his contract set to kick-in by 2022.
Ironically it was goals from defenders John Stones and Ruben Dias who sealed yesterday’s win at the Etihad which stretched City’s lead at the top of the table to 13 points.
Guardiola said: “To be able to win 20 games in this era, in this period, is maybe one of the greatest achievements we have done together in our careers.
“A game every three days, with Covid situations, injury situations.
“I am surprised that in the toughest year for all society in the world, the toughest period in England for the weather, to be able to do what we have done is amazing. It is an exception.’’
Toxic
City, closing in on a third Premier League title in four years, are now 22 points ahead of champions Liverpool – after being 22 points behind Jurgen Klopp’s men at this stage last season.
And they will be an even more formidable force next season if Guardiola wins the race for Haaland.
Even the City boss’s toxic relationship with super agent Mino Raiola won’t be a deal-breaker. Raiola, who represents Haaland, fell out with Guardiola over the City manager’s treatment of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Barcelona.
But that will have no impact on the Premier League leaders’ summer plans.
A senior Etihad source said: “There have been dealings with Mino Raiola in the past and if he represents a player we are interested in, it won’t be an issue.
“Personal issues don’t dictate what is best for the club.”
Guardiola and Raiola became embroiled in a war of words after the agent accused the Catalan of treating Ibrahimovic “like a dog” during the Swede’s two-year spell at the Nou Camp.