La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid have amped up their pursuit of Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, a target for Manchester United.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Real Madrid will launch a charm offensive to secure the services of Erling Haaland in the summer transfer window. The Borussia Dortmund striker is a target for Manchester City, who could be facing a losing battle in the race to sign the youngster.
Erling Haaland has come leaps and bounds since first rising to prominence two and a half years ago at Red Bull Salzburg. Since joining Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, the Norwegian striker has evolved into a goal machine, establishing himself as a pivotal figure for club and country.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a solid 2021/22 campaign, even though injuries have blighted his season. Haaland has amassed a tally of 23 goals and seven assists in 25 appearances across all competitions. But Dortmund will be scrambling to keep hold of the youngster in the summer transfer window, considering Real Madrid and Manchester City are keen on triggering his supposed £67 million exit clause.
At Real Madrid, Karim Benzema is in the form of his life, establishing his status as one of the best players in the world at the moment. But the veteran striker is approaching the final phase of his career, prompting Real Madrid to lay down a succession plan to facilitate a smooth passing of the torch.
Haaland has thus emerged as a viable target for Los Blancos, who are prepared to offload as many as six players to create room for him. And Real Madrid will intensify the pursuit of the Borussia Dortmund striker, which comes as a blow for Manchester City.
While some recent reports claimed that Manchester City could be in the driver’s seat to land the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window, others have indicated that the player favours joining Real Madrid. Nonetheless, Haaland is an option worth considering for Manchester City to finally bring in a long-term successor for Sergio Aguero.
Paying £67 million to sign Haaland will unlikely be beyond Real Madrid and Manchester City. But the report interestingly mentions that Haaland has become a priority target for Real Madrid because Kylian Mbappe will be staying put at Paris Saint-Germain, contradicting claims of the Merengues being confident of snapping up the Frenchman.