Bent explains why Haaland to Man City may not be a match made in heaven for Guardiola

Pep Guardiola’s track record with strikers could make the signing of Erling Haaland interesting to watch, according to Darren Bent.

Reports have suggested that Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign the prolific attacker from Borussia Dortmund after triggering his £63million release clause.

The 21-year-old has reportedly undergone a medical and could be officially announced as a City player as early as this week.

Should Haaland complete his move to the Etihad Stadium, there’s little doubt he will make a huge splash in the Premier League.

Since moving to Dortmund, Haaland has scored 85 goals in 88 games, meaning that the player is, currently, as near to a guarantee of goals as you’re likely to find.

However with Pep Guardiola preferring a more fluid attacking line, questions have been raised over where the Norwegian would fit at the club.

City are clearly looking for a striker, but according to Darren Bent, there’s more than enough evidence to suggest that Haaland might not get things all his own way if a move is finalised.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Bent said: “It’ll be interesting to see the dynamic between him and Pep [Guardiola].

“When you look at Pep and centre-forwards, I know he had Lionel Messi, but the only one that he’s had and it’s worked is Lewandowski at Bayern.

“Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] at Barcelona and that didn’t quite work, he had David Villa at Barcelona but he put him out wide and even towards the end with [Sergio] Aguero he phased him out.

“So I’m not sure how Pep wants to work with a centre forward. This is not a centre forward who can work wide right and wide left, he is an out and out number nine.

“I think it gives City a huge advantage because you’re talking about a guy who scores goals every single time he steps onto a football pitch, but I’m really interested to see how Pep is going to use him.”