Manchester City attempting to sign Erling Haaland makes more sense than striking-up a deal for Harry Kane.
That's the verdict from former City goalkeeper, Shay Given, who was surprised that Pep Guardiola didn't target a move for the Borussia Dortmund goal machine during the summer transfer window.
Having coasted to a third Premier League title in four seasons, key figures in the Etihad Stadium boardroom made Jack Grealish the first £100million signing in British history.
They were, though, priced out of a move for three-time Golden Boot winner Kane.
Haaland continues to establish himself as one of the hottest properties in Europe - having scored a staggering 74 goals in 72 games for Dortmund - and is reported to have a release clause around the £64million make that will be activated in the summer of 2022.
Given said: "An out-and-out number nine for City would give them a whole new dimension. Harry Kane was very strongly linked with a move, but part of me was thinking that while he'd be great for a season or two, it would have been a lot of money to spend on a player of his age.
"I was thinking the Erling Haaland move would've been better for the club in the long-term because he's only just turned 21. You'd get 10 years or so out of him and his dad used to play for the club, so there is that link already.
"Maybe that would've been a better option than Harry Kane, all things considered. I'm just thinking of the bigger picture, long-term as well as the short-term."
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Leicester vs Newcastle, he added: "Haaland looks the real deal right now, but he's still so young, he's only going to get better. You're going to get much more of an investment from Haaland than you would Kane.
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"Again, though, that's not to say Kane wouldn't thrive in this City side for a couple of years.
"Pep Guardiola's only got 18 months left on his contract, so maybe he doesn't really care what happens to the club in five years, he's just thinking about the here and now."
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