Man City starlet controversially overlooks Erling Haaland for Arsenal man

Manchester City’s summer transfer business saw them spend over £175m to build a squad capable of challenging Liverpool again in the Premier League.

Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, Gianluigi Donnarumma, James Trafford and Rayan Ait-Nouri all arrived at the Etihad Stadium, with notable exits including Kevin De Bruyne, Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Manuel Akanji and Jack Grealish.

Another low-key arrival was that of 18-year-old Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg for £12.5m, before City immediately sent him out on loan to Middlesbrough in the Championship.

The highly-rated Norwegian midfielder has drawn comparisons to Martin Odegaard and is gaining attention in his home country for his impressive form for Rosenborg.

Sverre Nypan dismisses Martin Odegaard comparisons, overlooks new Man City teammate Erling Haaland

Speaking to local media in Middlesbrough, Nypan called Martin Odegaard his role model as a young player in Norway, but insisted he is not the same player as the Arsenal captain.

And in praising Odegaard, Nypan described him as the best player Norway has produced, overlooking his new City teammate and record national goalscorer Erling Haaland.

“I won’t sit there and say that it’s not a nice comparison [Odegaard] because it’s an honour to be compared to a great player like that,” Nypan said. “Maybe the best ever from Norway! So it’s great to get the comparison, but we are we are not the same player.

“For me, we’re quite opposite. We are maybe in a similar type of area in the midfield, but the playing style is different. I won’t grow up to be a Martin Odegaard, that’s for sure.”

Sverre Nypan already impressing Middlesbrough with early performances on loan from Manchester City

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey told Manchester City News last week that Boro have been impressed with Nypan’s start on Teesside so far.

“Nypan has made a fabulous impression in his short space of time on Teesside,” said Bailey. “And that is evidenced by Rob Edwards throwing him on at half-time in the huge game against Sheffield United.

“I am told he has taken to life with Boro like a duck to water – he has been outstanding in everything he has done thus far.

“They are going to ease him in and, with keeping Hayden Hackney at the club, there might not be a huge need to rush him – but he definitely adds some real quality to Boro’s options.”

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