Barcelona and Real Madrid have been handed a major boost in pursuit of 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland.
While speaking on The Football Forum, as quoted by AS, Mino Raiola has hinted at Erling Haaland’s next destination. The Italian super-agent has iterated that the 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund striker “really likes” Spain, suggesting Barcelona and Real Madrid could hold the aces in his pursuit.
Erling Haaland is one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market, having gone from strength to strength in the last couple of years. The Norwegian international first burst onto the limelight in the first half of the 2019/20 season, when he scored goals for fun.
Haaland then stepped up marvellously upon joining Borussia Dortmund in January 2020. The 21-year-old’s record speaks for himself, with 70 goals and 19 assists in 69 appearances to date. Such exploits have invariably been noted by some of the biggest clubs in the world. Two of his prospective suitors are Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Recent reports have even suggested that Barcelona are leading the race to sign Haaland despite their financial woes. The interest in the 21-year-old goal machine makes sense, considering the health issues that Sergio Aguero has been blighted by recently.
With Luuk de Jong failing to impress and Martin Braithwaite a backup option at best, Haaland can be the long-term solution in the Barcelona attack. On the other hand, Real Madrid have identified the Borussia Dortmund striker as a priority to bolster their attack and are looking for ways to secure his services.
With Karim Benzema well into his thirties, signing Haaland would ensure smooth succession from one generation to the next, thereby making the youngster a viable target for Real Madrid. And now, Barcelona and Real Madrid have been handed a major boost by his agent, Mino Raiola.
Speaking on The Football Forum, Raiola said, “Haaland likes Spain, he really likes his home in Spain. It is too early to say where he is going to play next year. It is not good either. They will have to speak of the interest of Barcelona and Real Madrid, I am not a representative or Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Haaland is expected to leave Borussia Dortmund next summer when a release clause will come into effect. Where the 21-year-old ends up remains to be seen. However, judging by Raiola’s comments, it looks like Barcelona and Real Madrid will fancy their chances of snapping him up if they can shell out the required sum to land him.
