Why Might Erling Haaland Join Real Madrid Despite Signing New Contract with Man City?
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has hit the ground running in the Premier League after smashing records left, right, and center during his debut campaign. His exploits have not gone unnoticed in the football fraternity which saw him being runner-up to Lionel Messi on the Ballon d’Or podium. This also means Haaland’s name flirts with big boys Real Madrid who are linked with every other big name. While still only rumors, Haaland opened up on a potential move with a secret clause in his contract.
Erling Haaland to Real Madrid?
The Norwegian striker showed his scoring prowess with five goals in City’s FA Cup win over Luton before scoring another in the Manchester derby last Sunday.
“I’m sure I’ll read what I’ve said in the headlines tomorrow,” said the Norwegian striker, before dropping the following bombshell: “Real Madrid? You never know what the future may bring”.
According to reports, Haaland’s move to Real Madrid will be more than a realistic chance as he could still end up at the Los Blancos thanks to a secret clause in his deal.
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Haaland’s clause in the contract
Rafaela Pimenta, the Norwegian’s agent, has internationally recognized negotiation skills. She made sure that her client’s contract had a clause that would have allowed him to leave Manchester City in the summer of 2024 for a “reasonable” fee if the buying club wasn’t in the Premier League. Additionally, the cost decreases as the transfer window comes to a close.
Pimenta’s approach is that should Haaland decide to extend his current contract, as City intends and for which conversations have been undertaken, the door will almost definitely remain open for him to depart, giving Madrid—and Haaland, considering his previous remarks—hope that he may wind up in the Spanish capital.
Haaland’s move to Madrid could be a big talking point in the future but for now, the headlines are of Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman has already confirmed his desire to leave Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and will likely join the 14-time European champions. His reported move will see him earn less than current star Jude Bellingham with Real needing to balance the pay slip of the club.
The prospect of Haaland joining Mbappe at Real Madrid in the future would see the Spanish giants once again take the world by storm. The most successful club in Europe has swiftly replaced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema with them leaving in recent times.
It will be interesting to see whether Real and City cross paths in the Champions League this season having met in the semifinals in each of the last two seasons. The winner of the tie has gone on to lift the Champions League title. With the draws for the final phase of the Champions League taking next week, Haaland could have an early encounter against a side with whom he desires to play.
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