Kylian Mbappé’s much-touted move from Paris-Saint Germain to Real Madrid is closer than ever to happening, but that doesn’t mean Real Madrid have abandoned their plan to sign Manchester City striker Erling Haaland too. The Manchester City striker is believed to have set his sights on a future move to the LaLiga giants, potentially in 2025 after a three-year stint in the Premier League. The 23 year old sees a switch to a Spain as a realistic possibility, with Los Blancos having previously contacted his camp to work out when a move away from the reigning Champions League holders will be viable.
On the face of things, City now appears to have free rein to extend Haaland’s deal, which runs until 2027, as things stand. “We are in love with Haaland and we want him to stay for 10 years,” Pep Guardiola said in a recent press conference, although he also confessed to being in the dark about any contract negotiations.
As AS has learned, the English club has already made moves to sit down for talks with the striker, but Rafaela Pimenta, his agent, requested the meeting be put back until the end of the season, by which point the outcome of the Mbappé transfer saga will be known. The France captain joining Madrid looks to be on the cards more than ever.
But, according to journalist Francisco José Delgado of Spanish radio station Cadena SER, we could still see Haaland in the famous white jersey too, with president Florentino Pérez keen on uniting the pair at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Pimenta’s negotiating ability is known throughout the world of soccer. After all, it was the Brazilian “super-agent” who secured the Norwegian’s first City deal, which includes a clause allowing clubs outside the Premier League to sign him from the summer of 2024 for a relatively affordable fee, which drops as his contract runs down. That, of course, includes Real Madrid.
If Haaland does prolong his stay in Manchester, Pimenta, as is her modus operandi, would almost certainly ensure there is a similar way out for her client, which would also benefit Los Merengues.
The big issue for Madrid, of course, would be how to finance a wage bill with Haaland and Mbappé on it. The new and improved Estadio Santiago Bernbaéu will provide the club with additional revenue, but would that stretch to pay two of the best players in the world at the same time?