Erling Haaland 'is Manchester City's first-choice target in the summer', with Pep Guardiola to 'push hard' to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker - but Real Madrid 'pose the biggest threat' in race to secure his signature

Manchester City will go all-out in their attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland next summer, according to reports, with the in-demand superstar said to be their No 1 target.

Haaland is widely expected to leave his club at the end of the season, and his release clause - which will be just £64million in the summer - is certain to spark a tussle over his signature between a number of elite clubs.

City are likely to be near the front of the queue, and The Athletic have claimed that they have placed Haaland at the top of their transfer plans. 

In the same report, it has been suggested that the current Premier League champions and table-toppers will also move for a left back and central midfielder, although the largest chunk of their war chest will be splashed out on a new frontman.

It is said that City will 'push hard' to snap up Haaland, and that they are planning to hold talks with the ace's representatives over the coming weeks and months.

Currently, it is not known whether the player himself would opt for the Etihad giants, due to the fierce nature of the competition to sign him. 

Real are seemingly hell-bent on swooping for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, however, and if that switch is completed then Haaland may decide against joining.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich and PSG are expected to also voice their interest in recruiting the Norway international - but City's project appears more enticing.

It has been reported in recent days that Barcelona would be able to piece together the eye-watering finances needed to sign Haaland, despite their off-field woes, with debt totalling over £1billion.

Another big player in the scramble to reach an agreement is Manchester United. As the club are struggling this season, though, Haaland may choose to snub them. 

City boss Pep Guardiola has made his desire to sign a new striker clear, and he believes that the club have failed to adequately replace legend Sergio Aguero.

Fiorentina's Dusan Vlahovic has been identified as one target, with the prolific marksman dazzling in Serie A. He is set to move on at the end of the campaign.

Real Sociedad ace Alexander Isak is another name on City's shortlist, meanwhile. 

Sensationally, The Athletic have even gone as far as claiming that it is possible that City will re-ignite their interest in Harry Kane, having failed to pull off their £100m move last summer.