Despite just signing for Manchester City, Norwegian star Erling Haaland is already a transfer target of Real Madrid.
According to reports, the Spanish giants already have a plan in place to bring Haaland to the Santiago Bernabeu in two years. Real Madrid plan to sign Haaland from Manchester City within two years by activating his £128m release clause despite his recent move to the Etihad.
Haaland joined Manchester City for just £51million this week after his remarkable goal-scoring exploits in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. His move to the Etihad reportedly includes a £128million release clause (€150m) which Madrid hope to activate in the next two seasons.
According to AS, Madrid are looking for a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema but are willing to wait for two years to sign Haaland.
The report also adds that Madrid’s interest in Haaland is not a direct reaction to their inability to sign Kylian Mbappe, who decided to stay with Paris Saint-Germain after being tracked by the Spanish champions over a long period.
According to the report, the plan was always for Mbappe to join this summer, before Haaland to join in 2023.
Los Blancos are thought to be patient in their pursuit of Haaland because of the impressive late-career form of Karim Benzema. The French forward enjoyed his best-ever season at the Bernabeu after scoring 44 goals in just 46 games to help his side win the Spanish league title and the Champions League.
Madrid initially wanted to sign Haaland and Mbappe to replace the 34-year-old in expectation of a natural decline in performance. But Benzema’s recent form has eased the urgency of a hunt for a new striker.
