Nike Is Reportedly Close to Signing Erling Haaland as Its New Official Athlete
With the deal expected to be worth around $24 million USD per year.
According to reports, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is set to sign a lucrative football boot deal with Nike after subbing interest from the likes of adidas and PUMA.
Haaland, who has scored 33 goals for the current Premier League champions this season, was close to agreeing on a deal with Nike in January 2022. However, since then, the Norwegian baller has been seen rotating boots from PUMA, adidas, and Nike as the 22-year-old has been biding his time while deciding what sports manufacturer to sign with permanently.
Now, according to David Ornstein for The Athletic, Haaland is close to signing an official deal with Nike that could be worth somewhere in the region of £20 million per year (approx. $24 million USD).
🚨 Erling Haaland expected to pick Nike for next boot deal. Not signed but anticipated 22yo will rejoin, despite Adidas + Puma also going big since last contract ended Jan 2022. Striker’s camp expecting ~£20m pa but priority is comfort @TheAthleticFC #MCFC https://t.co/ZCuzPcq7eh
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) February 27, 2023
The City forward has been playing in the Nike Zoom Mercurial Superfly boot over the last few months and Haaland has reportedly made it clear that his choice of manufacturer boils down to comfort, and not the monetary value of the sponsorship deal.
With this being said, Haaland’s choice to sign with Nike has come as somewhat of a surprise. Lots of fans expected the forward to sign with PUMA due to the company being Manchester City’s long-term kit partner and adidas is also looking for a new star to fill the void of the soon-to-be-retired legend of the game, Lionel Messi.
What’s more, is that Haaland’s new deal with Nike would see the striker join Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe under the same umbrella. This has been seen as a shock to the football world, as the Haaland x Mbappe era continues to be tipped as the new Cristiano Ronaldo x Lionel Messi rivalry, who have both been synonymously signed with adidas and Nike, respectively, throughout their careers.
In other sports news, Tommy Fury beat Jake Paul in their high-profile boxing match last night.
