Real Madrid is said to have prepared about 400 million USD to be able to sign both of today’s top strikers, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, at the same time.
Signing both Mbappe and Haaland requires a large transfer fee. However, according to AS newspaper issued on November 23, Real has prepared 140 million USD in cash, in addition to an unused loan of up to 290 million USD.
Signing both of the above players could increase the salary budget. This will put Real at risk of violating financial fair play laws. However, according to Spain’s leading sports newspaper, the Bernabeu team has reduced its salary budget to an ideal level. Last season, Real’s salary budget was 566 million, equivalent to 72% of the total income of 776 million USD. But this season, the salary budget decreased to 493 million, equivalent to 54% of the expected total income of 919 million USD. According to the European Club Association (ECA), the effectiveness rate is less than 70%.
As of June 30, 2022, the total salary for Real first team players and coaches is 441 million USD per season. But by June 30, the number decreased to 365 million USD. Real’s salary reduction is thanks to the release of many high-paid players such as Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio or Mariano Diaz.
As of June 30, 2023, Real has 1,072 employees, including 473 players and coaches at all levels. According to President Florentino Perez, this number will increase to exploit the Bernabeu stadium, which is being modernized.
PSG is giving Mbappe an income of up to 220 million USD per year, including salary and bonuses. If he moves to Real, the French striker may have to accept a salary reduction. Mbappe only has a contract with PSG until June 2024. If nothing changes, he will leave for free and Real will not pay a transfer fee.
Meanwhile, Haaland’s income at Man City is lower than Mbappe’s, including only a salary of 25 million per year and bonuses. The Norwegian striker has a contract until 2027. Therefore, if bought, Real will have to pay a transfer fee. According to Transfermarkt, the market value of Haaland and Mbappe is both at the highest level in the world at 200 million USD.
Mbappe is the youngest player to have 300 goals in his career. The 24-year-old striker reached this number earlier than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Meanwhile, at the age of 23, Haaland has 251 goals.