Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is reportedly thought to be a priority target for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Real Madrid are hoping to sign Manchester City attacker Erling Haaland as the long-time replacement for Karim Benzema.
Manchester City signed Haaland from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around £51 million earlier this summer. And the Norwegian striker has been exceptional for his new club. The 22-year-old has managed to hit the ground running and has had no problems adapting to a new league.
After a subdued performance in the Community Shield game against Liverpool, there were concerns the talented striker might need some time to adapt to English football and that he might struggle to live up to the hype.
But Haaland has answered those critics emphatically by scoring 20 goals in his first 15 games for Manchester City. Haaland has already toppled numerous records with Manchester City and is well on course to shattering multiple other Premier League and Champions League scoring tallies this season.
News @ErlingHaaland: We‘ve talked about him today. For @realmadrid it’s the main target to get him as successor to #Benzema one day who wants to extend at Real beyond 2023. #MCFC stays cool regardless of his release clause in 2024. What a machine! @Sky_Marc @SkySportDE 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/Z4IIqHK7zG
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) October 10, 2022
There is no doubt that the 22-year-old is one of the best players in the world right now. And it is hardly surprising that a club like Real Madrid are keeping tabs on him. Karim Benzema is in the twilight of his career, and it makes sense for Real Madrid to start his succession planning. Haaland will be an exceptional replacement for the French striker.
According to reports, the Manchester City attacker has a release clause in his contract which will come into effect in the summer of 2024. And that is when the Spanish giants plan to make their move for him. As for Benzema, the player is keen on staying at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond 2023. And it remains to be seen whether the two parties can come to a contract agreement soon.
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Benzema has been an exceptional servant for Real Madrid and had a career-best season with them in 2021/22. The Frenchman helped Real Madrid win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga last year. But replacing Benzema with Haaland will be an understandable decision.
