Non-League Ashton United claims to have made a bid to sign Erling Haaland on loan from Manchester City during the World Cup.
Ashton, of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, is also based in Greater Manchester.
The current Premier League champions are not in action until late December due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Haaland will also be out of action for over a month as Norway failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Ashton, which plays in English football’s seventh tier, believes it can offer the striker the perfect solution to help him maintain his match fitness.
Speaking to the club’s website after Saturday’s defeat to Gainsborough Trinity, Robins’ manager Michael Clegg said:
It just makes sense. City aren’t playing, and we want to help by keeping Erling fit. It makes more sense than him playing golf for six weeks.
We think he will be a great fit for us and would slot in with our squad dynamic really well.
The club said it was yet to receive any response from Manchester City.
Ashton, which is based six miles from City’s Etihad Stadium, is 11th in their division and was beaten 2-0 in front of a crowd of 622 at Gainsborough n Saturday.
Haaland has scored 23 goals in 18 appearances for Premier League champions City since his £51m summer move from Borussia Dortmund. | The Guardian