Transfer Journalist Says Erling Haaland Could Join Real Madrid

The interest from Real Madrid in Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has been no secret over a number of years now, dating back to his days with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. 

When the striker first joined Premier League side Manchester City in the summer of 2022, some suggested that he would perhaps play there for two or three years, before then coming to the Bernabeu. 

That hasn't quite proved to be the case, as Haaland is now into his fifth season with City. However, as you may have heard, the Premier League outfit have been found guilty of over 100 charges by the league, and are potentially facing some unprecedented sanctions. 

So, things could change. A lot of clubs are now becoming very attentive to the situation of the City players, ready to be first to pounce if players suddenly become available when they otherwise wouldn't have done. Haaland is no exception to this. 

Indeed not, with high profile journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting (via Reshad Rahman) that both Barcelona and Real Madrid are "very attentive" to Haaland, and have been following him since he was at Dortmund. 

Interestingly, he also said “I’ll not be surprised to one day see him play in Spain — this possibility is something I can’t rule out in general for the future, which could mean in 2,3,4,5 years." 

To just finish things off on a more boring note, he also says that the 26-year old is only focused on City right now, is being super respectful, and there are no calls or conversations set to take place imminently. 

Nevertheless, a very interesting update. Many Real Madrid fans say they would love Haaland at the Bernabeu, and see him as much more of a natural number nine and focal point than Kylian Mbappe. 

Again, a lot will depend on what happens with the punishment for City. If they are just deducted enough points to be relegated, but that is it (in terms of on field punishments) then perhaps Haaland and the rest may be prepared to slog it out for one season in the Championship, like Alessandro Del Piero, Gianluigi Buffon and co did with Juventus. 

That said, if the off field punishments are so severe that City have to cash in on players, then that may bring an opportunity. Plus, if anything severe on the pitch happens such as -35 point deductions every single year for a number of years, he may want to leave. You get the impression he does love the club, though. 

Let's see. One to keep an eye on and all of that.