Manchester United fans were left fearing the worst after seeing transfer target Erling Haaland arrive at the Lowry Hotel.
Haaland is set to be in the middle of a mass bidding war this summer, with a host of teams around Europe interested.
The Borussia Dortmund wonderkid will only be available for an eye-watering fee this summer – unless he pushes for a move away from the Signal Iduna Park.
The Bundesliga contenders want to keep him until next year at the very least, and have demanded any interested team pays £130million – double what his release clause will be next year.
However, both Manchester clubs are eager to sign him and are set to enter into a bidding war this summer.
Haaland is believed to have grown up as a City fan and was born in England while his Manchester played for the club.
The Norwegian wonderkid will play against his possible future club tonight as Dortmund travel to the Etihad to face City.
And after he arrived at the Lowry Hotel on Tuesday, United fans quickly noted that he was wearing a sky blue backpack with a matching facemask.
Observers took to social media to suggest that this choice of attire was a subtle nod to his future club.
Fans believe the move was a cheeky move from his agent, Mino Raiola.
“That backpack suggests his destination,” one wrote.
Another posted: “His bag colour says it all.”
One tweeted: “Don’t like the colour of that man bag, see ya later Haaland.”
“Haaland to City confirmed. Light blue facemask and bag,” another wrote.
Raiola recently branded speculation over Haaland’s future as ‘fake news’, indicating there have been no talks as of yet.
The super-agent posted a video with screenshots of various news reports linking Haaland with various clubs including Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and City to his Instagram page.
Along with the post, he wrote: “Fake news travel quick and far” along with a rocket emoji.
