Former Manchester City striker Paul Dickov thinks Erling Haaland would be a better signing than Harry Kane due to his younger age.

City were strongly linked with Tottenham striker Kane last summer, but Spurs refused to sell their star man.

Pep Guardiola opted to enter the season without a replacement for Sergio Aguero, and so far the gamble has paid off as City lead the Premier League and have the latter stages of the FA Cup and Champions League.

However, last week's goalless stalemate with Crystal Palace highlighted Guardiola's need to sign a centre-forward next summer.

Guardiola cuts a frustrated figure against Crystal Palace

The Guardian says Borussia Dortmund star Haaland is the number one choice for City, and Dickov thinks the Norwegian is a better option than Kane for the club's long-term future.

"Either of them would do, I don't want to sit on the fence, but they're both outstanding goal scorers," Dickov told TribalFootball.com, on behalf of OLBG.

"With the chances City do create, either one of them would score a lot of goals.

"Harry Kane, I suppose, has the experience, he knows the Premier League and scores goals for fun at this level.

"That City versus Tottenham game, as an out and out number nine it was one of the best performances I've seen in a long time and possibly ever.

"He's added so much more to his game, he just used to drop the ball off and get into the box, but now he finds space to create chances for others as well as still scoring goals.

"It's a difficult one to choose; I think I would look at Erling Haaland's age and the ages of the players that Pep Guardiola has signed in the past at City.

"They've all been around the 21, 22 or 23 mark because he loves to work with the younger players to get them in for not only the here and now, but for the next four or five years.

"I think that's where you have to give City a lot of credit, the group has been together for a long time, and they all know exactly what they're doing and what the manager wants.

"From an age point of view, I would say Erling Haaland would be the better pick."

Dortmund will have little power in keeping Haaland as his £63m release clause is set to be activated before April 30th this year, per BVBNewsblog.

Along with City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly keen on securing his signature.

Manchester United have been linked in the past, but it is believed they are focusing on other targets, including Everton star Richarlison.