Real Madrid still plotting Haaland swoop despite mammoth release clause

Tom Hancock

• Updated: 20 Apr 2023 17:41 BST
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have not stopped thinking about a move for Erling Haaland, even though they may have to pay well over €200bn to secure the Manchester City goal machine’s services.

The news comes amid rumours that Man City are already preparing to offer Haaland, 22, a new contract – less than 12 months after his €60m switch from Borussia Dortmund.

It’s fair to say the Norwegian sharpshooter’s first season with the Premier League champions has been rather successful: he’s banged in a borderline terrifying 38 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions.

READ MORE: Haaland’s £1bn transfer moves closer with Man City revelation

With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that Real’s interest in Haaland – who they were one of the many clubs linked with his before his Dortmund departure – doesn’t appear to have waned remotely.

According to AS journalist Marco Ruz, the La Liga giants fancy their chances of bringing Haaland to the Bernabeu as soon as next year.

Haaland’s current Man City deal runs until the end of the 2026/27 season, but the deal is said to contain a variable release clause which can be activated in 2024.

History in the making?

However, it would take more than €220m for Real to lure Haaland that soon; such a fee would absolutely smash the world transfer record.

Haaland is thought to have previously had a release clause of €150m which became invalid once Guardiola extended his Man City stay until 2025 back in November.

Still, with Real needing to think about a successor to Karim Benzema – who is still going strong but turns 36 this year – and the once unfathomable amounts of money we see thrown around these days, it wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see them make history with a mega-swoop for Haaland in the not-too-distant future.