City face Real fight to secure Haaland
REAL MADRID have launched a new charm offensive to snatch Norwegian striker Erling Haaland out of the clutches of Manchester City.
The Spanish giants had made Kylian Mbappe their No.1 target but he is now expected to do a U-turn and sign a new contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
And while Haaland has always been on Madrid’s radar, losing out on Mbappe has prompted them to crank up their efforts to beat City to the Borussia Dortmund forward’s signature.
They have told him he can be a key part of a major Bernabeu rebuild and Madrid know Haaland, 21, would favour a move to La Liga ahead of the Premier League.
City have felt they were in pole position in recent months to trigger a £67million get-out clause in Haaland’s contract when it becomes active this summer.
They are also ready to make him the club’s highest earner alongside £400,000-a-week Kevin De Bruyne.
City boss Pep Guardiola has already signed Argentine international Julian Alvarez from River Plate but is keen to add more firepower and Haaland is regarded as one of the game’s hottest young talents.
Madrid’s obsession with landing Mbappe had given City huge encouragement.
But PSG have been able to convince Mbappe that they can become serious Champions League contenders in the next few seasons and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba appears to be set to join him in Paris when his contract expires in June.
In City’s favour, Haaland’s father Alf-Inge spent the last three years of his career with them and has been a regular visitor to The Etihad.
Haaland senior also used to take Erling with him to watch the club when he was a youngster.