Erling Haaland’s ‘dream transfer’ as Man City star linked with £130m exit – ‘he doesn’t hide it’
Manchester City remain adamant that Erling Haaland will stay at the club despite recent reports linking him with Real Madrid
Erling Haaland has been linked with various iconic clubs(Image: Vincent Carchietta/Getty Images)
One of Erling Haaland’s former Borussia Dortmund bosses has claimed he considers Real Madrid his ‘dream’ destination following recent speculation linking him with the Spanish club. The Manchester City forward has proved exceptional value for the Premier League side, scoring 162 goals and providing 30 assists across 198 matches.
City signed Haaland, who is rated at an eye-watering £170m (€200m) by Transfermarkt, for just £51m, and he has certainly justified the transfer fee. The striker has averaged a goal every 85 minutes for City, but his fine form has attracted considerable attention from rival sides.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have both been associated with attempts to lure the Norwegian away after the World Cup. Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme displayed a ‘Haaland 9’ jersey during his electoral campaign and insisted the forward will arrive at the La Liga giants this summer.
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Riquelme said: “He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid.”
Florentino Perez has confirmed his sights aren’t on Haaland for the timebeing(Image: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
This claim has been dismissed in a joint statement from Alf-Inge Haaland’s father and his representative, Rafaela Pimenta. They said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
City subsequently threatened legal proceedings over the unfounded assertions as a club spokesperson said: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue. There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Despite these ambitious claims, Riquelme was defeated in the election and Florentino Perez retained his role for the 17th consecutive year – and 23 years overall. Perez has indicated that a £130m transfer will be completed this summer, but it won’t involve Haaland.
He said: “We’re going to make a significant offer, at least around €150m. He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it’s not Haaland.
“The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we’ll do is talk to the club. It’s a signing meant to generate excitement because that’s what it’s all about, generating excitement.”
Haaland has been linked with moves away from Manchester(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
While no formal approaches have been submitted for Haaland, speculation has repeatedly surfaced that he could eventually leave the Etihad Stadium outfit. Speaking earlier this week, Borussia Dortmund president Hans Joachim Watzke addressed the speculation, suggesting a move to Madrid will materialise for the Norwegian striker in the future.
Watzke is familiar with Haaland from his spell at the Bundesliga club and expects City to keep hold of the forward for at least another couple of campaigns. He told Marca: “I know very well what Haaland thinks, and I can say that he certainly admires Real Madrid and would like to play there in the future, but next season he will continue at Manchester City.
“Erling Haaland loves Real Madrid and doesn’t hide it. But he won’t join this summer. I think he’ll play there in two or three years.”
Haaland is extremely content at City(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
Barcelona are also keen, with Haaland’s representative previously suggesting that a switch to Madrid’s rivals could be on the cards. Speaking to El Chiringuito de Jugones, Pimenta said: “I have often said that we have a lot of respect for Barcelona, a lot of admiration, but there has been no contact from the club, nor from its (presidential) candidates for a transfer.
“Also because the player renewed his contract a few months ago, he is very happy at Manchester City and we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer when everything is going so well.”
Haaland appears extremely content at City, despite Pep Guardiola’s departure this summer, and remains under contract for another eight years. However, only time will reveal whether the 25-year-old eventually chooses to take his outstanding career in a different direction.
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