Barcelona and Real Madrid have reportedly ramped up their efforts to sign 21-year-old Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland.
According to a report by Spanish publication MARCA, Barcelona and Real Madrid have stepped up their efforts to sign Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window. The two La Liga heavyweights have intensified contacts with the Borussia Dortmund striker’s camp, with the 21-year-old keen on joining a Spanish club.
Erling Haaland has transformed into a goal machine since joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020. The Norwegian international had already been making waves in the first half of the 2019/20 season but has taken his game up several notches in the last two years.
To date, the 21-year-old has amassed a splendid tally of 80 goals and 21 assists in 79 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. But widespread reports have claimed that the 2021/22 campaign could be his final one with the Bundesliga heavyweights. Several high profile clubs across Europe have set their sights on Haaland, with Barcelona and Real Madrid the most serious contenders.
The Catalan giants have already initiated discussions with Haaland, possibly Sergio Aguero’s long-term successor at Camp Nou. While Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang arrived from Arsenal in the January transfer window, the Gabonese forward will only be a short-term solution for Barcelona.
As for Real Madrid, the Merengues are reportedly the front-runners to sign the 21-year-old. While Karim Benzema is in the form of his life, he is approaching the final phase of his glittering career, prompting Real Madrid to lay down a succession plan for him.
In addition to Barcelona and Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City have also been heavily linked with Haaland. But the Norwegian goal machine’s preference would be to join a La Liga club, effectively ruling PSG and Manchester City out of the running while leaving Barcelona and Real Madrid in pole position.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have now stepped up their efforts to snap up Haaland, intensifying contact with his representatives. But prising him away from Borussia Dortmund could be a difficult task as the Bundesliga giants have already insisted that they will battle hard to retain the services of the 21-year-old.
