Transfer Centre

Real Madrid 'could sign Manchester City's Erling Haaland for £86m'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 January 2024

Real Madrid 'could sign Erling Haaland for £86m'

Real Madrid could supposedly sign Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland for half of his €200m (£172.2m) release clause if a move for Kylian Mbappe does not materialise.

Real Madrid could reportedly sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland for around €100m (£86.1m) due to the terms of a purported release clause in his Citizens contract.

Los Blancos considered the former Borussia Dortmund man as a long-term successor to Karim Benzema, who surprisingly ended his illustrious Bernabeu stint over the summer to join Al-Ittihad.

However, Real Madrid instead chose to prioritise a deal for Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, and Haaland's familial connections with Man City also helped Pep Guardiola's side win the race for his services.

Haaland penned a five-year contract upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, joining for a modest €60m (£51.7m) as Man City triggered a clause in his Dortmund deal, but there is also said to be an exit option in his terms with the Premier League champions.

Real Madrid have never completely closed the door on a future swoop for the 23-year-old, and according to AS, Los Blancos could sign him for just half of the €200m (£172.2m) release clause in his City contract.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland reacts on December 3, 2023 © Reuters

The report states that only Premier League clubs would be required to pay Haaland's release clause in full, while foreign teams would only need to cough up €100m (£86.1m) to complete a deal.

Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta - who said in November that the striker was the "master of his own destiny" - is believed to possess an excellent relationship with Real president Florentino Perez and has been in attendance to watch Los Blancos in Champions League action this season.

Even if a transfer in 2024 does not work out, Real would supposedly be happy to postpone their pursuit of the Norway international until 2025, as Los Blancos have extremely high hopes for recent arrival Endrick.

The Palmeiras striker will officially join Carlo Ancelotti's side when he turns 18 in July, and the Real boss is excited about the prospect of fielding Endrick in between compatriots Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior in an all-Brazilian front three.

Los Blancos opted against signing a big-money striker to replace Benzema over the summer, but £88.5m midfielder Jude Bellingham has been an unforeseen success story in front of goal with 17 goals in 22 matches.

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after winning the Trophee des Champions on January 3, 2024 © Reuters

Espanyol loanee Joselu has also made a positive impact in the capital, scoring nine goals in 25 games, and Real have the option to sign the 33-year-old permanently at the end of the campaign.

However, PSG's Mbappe remains at the top of Los Blancos' wishlist, and it was reported on Sunday evening that Real Madrid had reached an agreement to sign the 25-year-old this summer.

Mbappe is free to talk to Real Madrid and other foreign clubs, having entered the last six months of his Parisiens deal, but his entourage have since denied claims that he has already shaken hands on a move to the Bernabeu.

Ancelotti's side supposedly want the World Cup-winning Frenchman to make a final decision on his future by the middle of January, otherwise they could end their long-standing interest once and for all to accelerate their interest in Haaland.

Los Blancos are next in action against rivals Atletico Madrid in Wednesday's Supercopa de Espana semi-final, where victory would set up a showpiece match against either Barcelona or Osasuna in Riyadh.