Erling Haaland, who is a target for Chelsea, has a pre-agreement with Real Madrid over a transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
According to a report from Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland already has a ‘pre-deal’ with Real Madrid to join them in the summer of 2022, even as Chelsea remain interested in his services.
Haaland, 20, has emerged as one of the best young strikers in the world over the past couple of years. Having burst onto the scenes at Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg, the Norwegian has taken his game up a notch since signing for Borussia Dortmund in January last year. With 57 goals in 59 games, of which 41 came in the 2020/21 campaign, he has become one of the most lethal marksmen in Europe.
Naturally, Haaland’s goalscoring exploits have landed him on the radars of who’s who of European football, with every big club across the continent linked with him at some point or the other in recent months. However, it is Chelsea who seem to be pressing the hardest for the signing of the Borussia Dortmund star.
Chelsea are in the market for a new striker as Olivier Giroud nears a switch to AC Milan, while Tammy Abraham seems primed to sign for West Ham United. With Timo Werner and Kai Havertz not exactly delivering in front of the goal last season, manager Thomas Tuchel is intent on adding a prolific forward to his ranks, with Haaland emerging as the top target.
And, even as the Blues were ready to make a big offer for the 20-year-old, the transfer saga has seemingly taken a new twist. As per the information provided by Galetti, Haaland is likely to stay put at Dortmund this season as he already has an agreement with Real Madrid to make a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2022.
Real Madrid are in a state of transition, with several of their top stars entering the final stages of their careers and needing to be phased out of the side. One such player who will need to be eventually replaced is star striker Karim Benzema, who will be turning 34 years old in a few months. While Kylian Mbappe remains a target for Los Blancos’ president Florentino Perez, Haaland, too, has many admirers at the club.
But, given their financial situation currently, a move for the Norwegian is unfeasible. That is why, as per Galetti, they have arrived at a pre-agreement with the Dortmund star to make a transfer happen next year, when a €75 million release clause in his contract kicks in. And, in order to keep his worth with Real Madrid, Haaland will remain in Germany this year, despite the strong interest from Chelsea, adds Galetti.
If true, this will come as quite the blow for Chelsea while it would be a huge coup for Real Madrid, even if they will have to wait for a year to get their hands on Haaland.
