Pep Guardiola 'Looking' To Sign Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Says Retired Player

Former Southampton star Claus Lundekvam can see his fellow countryman Erling Haaland and football superstar Lionel Messi under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Alongside Jadon Sancho, Haaland has emerged as one of the most sought-after rising stars of modern football. Numbers back the hype as the Norwegian striker has now bagged a total of 33 goals in 32 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.

This has led to Lundekvam speculating that the 20-year-old is now on his way to stardom as part of Europe's “biggest clubs,” particularly Manchester City.

“I can see him playing for the biggest clubs in the world, absolutely,” Lundekvam recently told Stadium Astro. “He is such good form, he is so direct and he’s a world-class attacker at the moment. To put the goals away, Erling Haaland would be a certain asset for Manchester City.”

Even more interesting, the former club captain said he can picture Guardiola already figuring out how the Citizens could possibly devise a move for Haaland along with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi.

“I’m sure Pep [Guardiola] is looking at him, and is looking at [Lionel] Messi and some x-factor strikers who can put these chances away. That is what they need,” he stated.

“For him [Haaland] to go to one of the best clubs in the world, and City being one of them, it could happen,” Lundekvam added. “Performance talks, and money talks. If he gets a chance to go to City and Pep is keen on bringing him in, even in the summer, he can’t turn down Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. It will be interesting to see.”

Lothar Matthaus is another former team captain who also recently heaped praise on Haaland. For the ex-West Germany captain, the player is a “machine” for his age.

"At the age of 20, he is a machine,” Matthaus said of the Dortmund striker on Bundesliga’s official website. “He is a flying striker. He brings a positive energy in the team while also scoring goals. He is irreplaceable.”

Furthermore, Matthaus even likened the youngster's form and mentality to Bayern Munich superstar and 2020 Best FIFA Men’s Player, Robert Lewandowski.

"Erling Haaland is regarded at Dortmund like Robert Lewandowski is at Bayern: the player upfront who is not only responsible for the goals but in charge of dragging the team with him,” the German explained. “He is a leader at the age of 20.”

“That says a lot and on top of that, he knows what he needs to do,” he continued. “He works defensively as well, something I really enjoy seeing Robert Lewandowski do as well. He is not one to just stay forward. His mannerisms as well, for a 20-year-old, to not only think of himself but of his team.”