Steven McManaman has predicted that Erling Haaland is likely to join Real Madrid in the summer over another of his former clubs, Liverpool.
Writing in his column for HorseRacing.net, former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman has tipped Borussia Dortmund hitman Erling Haaland to choose Los Blancos over the Reds next year.
Haaland has established himself as one of the most in-demand strikers in Europe after his stunning exploits since signing for Dortmund in January 2020. The 21-year-old Norwegian has plundered an amazing 68 goals from 67 matches, leading to all big clubs across Europe vying to sign him.
Indeed, the likes of Manchester United, Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in the Norwegian international at some point in recent months. The interest from Real Madrid, though, seems to be quite strong, with reports even claiming that the Merengues already have a pre-agreement with the player over a move next year.
That has seemingly not dissuaded Liverpool, who have recently made their entry into the race to sign Haaland from Jurgen Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund. Given Roberto Firmino’s diminishing returns in front of goal, it is not hard to fathom why the Merseysiders would want to go after the 21-year-old goal machine.
McManaman, however, has claimed that he expects Haaland to secure a transfer to Real Madrid over Liverpool. “Do I believe Liverpool will be in the race to sign Erling Haaland next summer? No. I really believe there’s a possibility he will head to Real Madrid and I think the player personally fancies Real Madrid and the lifestyle that comes with playing for them,” he writes in his column.
Further elucidating on his comments, McManaman adds that Liverpool would not be willing to break their wage structure and pay any agent fee to Haaland’s representative Mino Raiola to make the deal happen, which effectively would rule them out of the running.
“I don’t think the transfer fee is the reason that Liverpool won’t be in the market for Erling. I believe it’s all the other variables that come with signing a player of his calibre.
“He would command a big wage and once you pay one player a huge amount of money, then all the other players are going to want the same. Mino Raiola would want a tonne of money for not only Haaland but for himself too and I don’t think Liverpool would want any part in that,” the ex-Real Madrid and Liverpool star writes.
