Rio Ferdinand urges Liverpool to complete "devastating" Erling Haaland transfer

Rio Ferdinand has urged Liverpool to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland ahead of rivals Manchester City.

The 21-year-old is one of the hottest properties in European football after a blistering start to his Dortmund career.

Since joining the German giants from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020, Haaland has scored 49 goals in as many Bundesliga games. Throw in other competitions, including the Champions League, and his record for BVB stands at 70 goals in 69 outings.

He's also been prolific at international level, finding the net 12 times in his 15 senior appearances for Norway.

Haaland has been linked with every top club in Europe with Mino Raiola pushing for a switch next summer; it's believed signing him would cost an eye-watering total package of £265million.

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Although the player's transfer fee would be just £75m due to his release clause, reports claim his salary and agent fee would add an extra £200m to the deal.

Despite this, Manchester United legend Ferdinand believes the striker should join Liverpool - rather than his former side or Pep Guardiola's champions - because he's more suited to manager Jurgen Klopp's style of play.

"I think he suits other teams better [than Man City]," Ferdinand told BT Sport on Wednesday. "If I was Liverpool I would take him right now.

"If he goes to Liverpool that's a devastating front three. I don't think it's as hard for him to adapt if he goes to Liverpool. It's a different system.

"You see Jack Grealish has gone to Man City, [he is a] top player, brilliant player, we all love watching him, but it's quite hard to adapt and get into that team.

"Not many players go there and adapt immediately."

Although Dortmund are just one point behind holders Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga, they were unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The German outfit suffered a 3-1 defeat at Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon to drop into the Europa League in the new year.

In contrast to Ferdinand, Michael Owen believes City is the right club for the Norwegian.

His dad Alf-Inge played for the reigning Premier League champions between 2000 and 2003 and Owen, who of course played for both United and Liverpool, said: "When Liverpool are at their best they leave a hole up front in the centre.

"[Roberto] Firmino or [Diogo] Jota will come off [for] those runs inside. I'm not sure Salah would get as many goals if Haaland was in the team.

"It's an unbelievable prospect but I would've thought that Manchester City would be the likeliest.

"I'm not sure if there is a bit of bad blood between Haaland, his agent, obviously his dad playing against Roy Keane at Manchester United.

"I'm not sure Manchester United would fit. [Romelu] Lukaku has just gone to Chelsea and I'm not sure if would fit at Liverpool. Personally I think Man City."