Erling Haaland vs Darwin Nunez: Man City or Liverpool, which EPL club has landed the signing of summer 2022?

Like it was set in stone. Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were heavily tipped to make a high-profile signing after Erling Haaland's dream move to Manchester City became a reality and that too at a bargain price. Sadio Mane's transfer saga also forced the Reds to break the bank for former Benfica star Darwin Nunez. Even though La Liga giants Real Madrid flirted with the idea of having two of the best strikers at the Santiago Bernabeu after a successful 2021-2022 season, Los Blancos' UEFA Champions League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City emerged as the real winners in the summer transfer window by punching Premier League tickets for Haaland and Darwin Nunez.

Often dubbed as the toughest league in club football, the English Premier League (EPL) has turned exciting young talents into absolute icons of the beautiful game. From Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba, Robin van Persie, Ruud van Nistelrooy to Carlos Tevez, Nicolas Anelka, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Sergio Aguero, some of the finest goalscorers have competed for the elusive golden boot over the years in English top flight.

Joining Mohamad Salah, Son Heung-min and Harry Kane in the Golden boot race, Liverpool's Nunez and Man City forward Haaland are the rare breeds of newcomers who will start as red-hot favourites to take home the elusive trophy at the end of the upcoming season. Can free-scoring Nunez establish deterrence and prevent Manchester City from retaining the Premier League crown? Will Haaland launch another title bid for Pep Guardiola & Co. by successfully stepping into Aguero's shoes? Let's cast our minds back to the resumes of the two blockbuster signings.

• How many club trophies Nunez and Haaland have won?

Liverpool had contested last season's Champions League final with eventual winners Real Madrid. The record-time winners had outclassed Man City in the semi-finals. Both Haaland and Nunez have never won a Champions League title in their respective careers. Nunez has won only two league titles while Haaland has the same number of league honours along with two more trophies in club competitions. After their recent failures, Champions League success is somewhat paramount for Klopp and Guardiola this season.

• Who is the actual goal machine?

Nunez raised his stocks when he played for Penarol. The youngster further enhanced his goal-scoring record after his arrival at Almeria in the Spanish second division. Nunez joined Benfica for €22m in 2020. The Uruguayan star netted 26 goals in 28 league appearances during the 2021-2022 season. Nunez attracted Liverpool's attention by scoring against the Reds in both legs of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie.

Regarded as the modern-day goal machine, Haaland has been low-key busy in outshining Nunez since the 2016-2017 season. From 2016 to 2021, Haaland scored more goals than Nunez every season. However, Nunez scored 34 goals while Haaland netted 29 in the 2021-2022 season. Haaland smashed 85 goals in 88 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. Former Benfica star Nunez has only two strikes in 11 international games while his Norwegian counterpart has scored 20 times.

• Nunez is Liverpool's record signing

The 22-year-old forward has joined Liverpool for a record-setting fee at Anfield. Not long ago, Klopp had hailed Liverpool's 'ambition' to land Nunez. The Premier League and Champions League runners-up of last season have signed Nunez for 100 million euros (£85 million, $105 million). As per Benfica, the Uruguayan has joined Liverpool for 75 million euros. Liverpool will also pay Benfica an extra 25 million in performance-related add-ons. The former Benfica star is expected to face the pressure of big bucks!

• Haaland is Man City's value-for-money deal

In order to land Haaland at Etihad, Manchester City only paid GBP 51 million ($63m) to Dortmund. Haaland is also Man City's joint-highest earner as the former Dortmund striker will earn around £400,000 per week. Man City icon Kevin De Bruyne and forward Haaland are the highest-paid players at the club. The former Bundesliga star has penned a 5-year deal with Premier League holders. Haaland's father Alfie-Inge also played for Man City from 2000 to 2003.