Real Madrid have launched a new charm offensive to snatch Norwegian striker Erling Haaland out of the clutches of Manchester City.
The Spanish giants had made Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe their main transfer target, but he is now expected to perform a U-turn and sign a new contract with the French club.
And while Haaland has always been on Madrid’s radar, losing out on Mbappe has prompted them to crank up their efforts to beat City to the Borussia Dortmund forward’s signature. They have told him he can be a key part of a major rebuild at the Bernabeu.
And Madrid know Haaland would favour a move to La Liga ahead of the Premier League. City have felt they were in pole position in recent months to trigger a £67million get-out clause in Haaland’s Dortmund contract when it becomes active this summer.
They are also ready to make the 21-year-old the club’s highest earner alongside £400,000-a-week Kevin De Bruyne. City boss Pep Guardiola is looking for a proven goalscorer to finally replace record marksman Sergio Aguero. The Premier League champions have already signed Argentine international Julian Alvarez from River Plate.
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But Haaland is already regarded as one of the game’s hottest young talents. Madrid’s obsession with landing Mbappe - and the increasing influence of his father Alfie in negotiations - had given City huge encouragement. But PSG have been able to convince Mbappe that they can become serious Champions League contenders in the coming years - and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba appears to be set to join him in Paris when his contract at Old Trafford expires in June.
Haaland senior spent the last three years of his career with the Blues before being forced to retire through injury. He has been a regular visitor to the Etihad - and used to take Erling with him to watch the club when he was a youngster. City still hope a deal can be struck to give Guardiola more firepower next season. One of the major talking points during negotiations has been the future of the City boss, who has just one more season left on his contract.
