Erling Haaland’s new record-breaking contract has been announced on Friday and it’s good news for Newcastle United, if not for Alan Shearer.
It’s been a quiet January transfer window so far, with only a couple of signings being made across the entire Premier League.
The loan departures of Isaac Hayden to Portsmouth and Charlie McArthur to Carlisle United are the only pieces of business Newcastle United have completed so far, with Eddie Howe expecting a quiet month.
The Toon are in fine form anyway, and as long as they can keep all of their in form players (which doesn’t appear to be a problem), they’re not in dire need of new recruits.
Unlike Manchester City, whose appalling first half of the new season has forced them to hunt for at least three new signings in January.
As well as reinforcements, though, the Premier League champions have moved to secure the future of star striker Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian sensation has committed his future to City for the next nine and a half years after signing an extraordinary new contract until 2034.
It has been labelled as one of the most expensive contracts in sporting history and one of Haaland’s biggest aims spells bad news for Newcastle hero Alan Shearer.
Erling Haaland has sights set on Alan Shearer’s Premier League goal record
Haaland has only been a Premier League player for two and a half seasons but his remarkable scoring rate has already seen him reach 79 goals in just 87 games.
If he manages to keep the same ridiculous pace up for the next near decade then he will easily clear 350 goals in the Premier League, which puts Shearer’s record of 260 in serious jeopardy.
It’s a target Haaland is gunning for. He said upon the announcement of his new deal: “I am going to stay for a long time.
“Now I can fully focus on getting better because I am going to stay here for such a long time. Full focus on performing and getting better to give all of the fans what they want.
“To score the most goals ever in a Premier League season is special and I will do everything I can to try and get close to the record in the future. It is not going to be easy, but it was a special thing and I am really happy that I did it.”
“Now I am City no matter what. I want to keep developing, keep working to get better and look to do my best to try and help us achieve more success going forward.”
After surviving Harry Kane, it seems someone will finally take Shearer’s long-standing record off him.
New Haaland deal means one less club will be looking at Alexander Isak
The last few weeks have seen the rest of football fandom finally realise what Newcastle fans have known for years, Alexander Isak is sensational.
The Swedish striker is in an incredible run of form after bagging in his last nine appearances, as well as setting others up and showing off some thrilling skill in build-up play.
Isak is just one behind Haaland in the Premier League scoring chart, having played two games fewer, and that form hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Fans of teams who are lacking a quality striker – Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – are all begging their clubs to try and sign him and interest is bound to swell in 2025.
Newcastle are going to have a fight to keep hold of their star man but at least they can rest easy knowing that one of the few clubs who have the resources to actually sign him in City will never have the need to.
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