Florentino Perez has reportedly given the order for Real Madrid to raise the contract offer to Erling Haaland, a target for Manchester City.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Real Madrid will have no qualms raising the contract offer for Erling Haaland. The Merengues are ready to hand the Borussia Dortmund striker a €22 million-a-year deal, although that still dwarfs the €30 million-a-year contract from Manchester City.
Erling Haaland has taken no time to establish himself as one of the best strikers in Europe, having risen to prominence only in the 2019/20 season. Less than three years since he first became a household name in Europe, the Norwegian has transformed into a goal machine, becoming a key figure for Borussia Dortmund following his move in January 2020.
The 21-year-old has an astonishing record of 80 goals and 21 assists in 82 appearances for Borussia Dortmund. But the Bundesliga giants could lose the services of Haaland in the summer transfer window, with some of the most high profile clubs across Europe hot on his trail, including Real Madrid.
Widespread reports also once tipped Real Madrid to be the front-runners to land Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. But the Merengues seem to have fallen behind Manchester City in the race to sign their key attacking target in the summer transfer window.
Even the Bundesliga giants believe Manchester City will sign Haaland ahead of the 2022/23 season. But Real Madrid will not be giving up in the chase for the Norwegian striker just yet, with Florentino Perez prepared to sanction an improved contract offer for him.
According to the report, Real Madrid will have no qualms raising the offer by €3 million, tabling a deal worth €22 million per year. The issue is that even that contract dwarfs the one Manchester City can hand Haaland, with the English heavyweights ready to pay Haaland €30 million per year.
Real Madrid will need to lay down a succession plan for Karim Benzema, whose absence was telling in the recent 4-0 defeat to Barcelona. While Benzema is in the form of his life, he does not have a viable alternative or backup in the Real Madrid squad, thereby necessitating Haaland’s arrival. But with Manchester City offering better terms, it remains to be seen if a €22 million-a-year contract offer does the trick.
