Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has received an audacious loan offer from Ashton United - a club in the English seventh tier. The 22-year-old Norwegian striker has been asked by the club to join them for 28 days as he waits for his club teammates to return from the World Cup in Qatar.
As many as 16 players from Manchester City will be playing in the upcoming mundial. However, Haaland will not be in action after his home country Norway failed to secure qualification. While it is a bit disappointing that one of the world's sensational talents will be amiss on the biggest global competition, one club is looking to capitalize on the situation and use it to their advantage.
Since arriving this summer, the former Borussia Dortmund star has smashed several records in the Premier League and is on course to secure the Golden Boot, having already scored 18 times. Although the City striker will be out of action for a while, Ashton United is willing to sign him in the interim. The club features in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, English football's seventh tier, and have claimed that the move "just makes sense" as their home grounds - the Hurst Cross Stadium - is only 6.5 miles from the Etihad. Thus, the striker wouldn't have far to travel to games.
An official statement released by the club reads as follows:
"Ashton United can confirm that the club has submitted a 28-day loan approach for Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.
"With the current Premier League champions not in action until late December due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, The Robins have reached out to our neighbours at the Ethiad in order to keep Haaland's match fitness with him not being involved in Qatar."
Club manager Michael Clegg also said: "It just makes sense.
"City aren't playing, and we want to help by keeping Erling fit, it makes more sense than him playing golf for six weeks. "We think he will be a great fit for us,and would slot in with our squad dynamic really well."
According to the statement, they are yet to receive any response from Manchester City. However, the move seems unlikely with Pep Guardiola revealing that Haaland is set to head to Marbella. The Norwegian reportedly has a property in the south of Spain and is looking forward to enjoying some time off alone before the Premier League resumes in late December.
