Revealed: Erling Haaland generating more signature requests than prime Lionel Messi at Man City - as 'sweet' striker endears himself to club staff

Haaland has been inundated with requests to sign shirts and memorabilia ever since he joined Pep Guardiola's side in 2022 and is always happy to oblige, according to an updated version of the book Pep's City: The Making of A Superteam, by Pol Ballus and Lu Martin. And staff who have worked with Guardiola at Barcelona and City claim that the Norwegian gets more requests to sign stuff than Messi did when he was with the Catalans and in the prime of his career.

City paid around €100 million in transfer fees and commissions to sign Haaland from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 but he has been worth every penny, firing the Blues to the treble last season while scoring a record 52 goals in 53 games in all competitions. The Norwegian, who has already scored 14 Premier League goals this term, could be forgiven for developing a bit of an ego, but Pep's City, which has been updated to include new details of how the club won the treble, reports that he is well liked by staff and team-mates.

“He’s always in a good mood and has a kind word for everyone,” a staff member told the book's authors. “He’s made such a difference to the team and, when you think how famous he is, it’s amazing he’s still such a sweet guy. You’d expect that a player of Erling’s status and physical size might be arrogant and demanding – a bit of a diva. But he’s got a smile for everyone and is always happy to chat. He’ll take the piss, too, but more importantly, he can handle a joke at his own expense.”

Jack Grealish is Haaland's closest friend at City and the pair, who live in the same block of apartments in the centre of Manchester along with neighbours Ruben Dias, Julian Alvarez and Sergio Gomez, are described as "inseparable".

Haaland also ingratiated himself to his new team-mates last year by turning up to a Halloween party organised by Kyle Walker and Riyad Mahrez dressed as a Viking, baring his chest amid the freezing Manchester weather.

After breaking the records for being the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League goals and 40 Champions League goals within the last week, Haaland will be setting his sights on further bloating his tally when City host title rivals Tottenham on Sunday.