Why Erling Haaland is no longer a transfer priority for Real Madrid

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 10 Jan 2023 17:55 GMT
• 3 min read

Erling Haaland was linked with Real Madrid before joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund this summer, and it was widely believed they would come back in for him in 2024.

Haaland has hit the ground running at City, making a mockery of his €60 million fee in racking up 18 goals from just 13 Premier League games, and 23 from 18 in all competitions.

But Haaland has moved every few season in his career so far: two campaigns with Molde, two at Red Bull Salzburg and latterly three with Dortmund, and although reports of a Real-only release clause of €200m have proved wide of the mark, the notion that he might still move remained.

READ: Erling Haaland's agent already dropping transfer hints

But it appears that Real have now shifted their focus to Brazilian wonderkid Endrick. The Palmeiras youngster can's move to Europe until he turns 18 in the summer of 2024, but at that point he doesn't want to find Haaland in his way at the Bernabeu.

Endrick's Haaland-esque decision-making

"One priority for Endrick and his advisors is that there is a clear path for his future," report Marca. "That means not sharing time and space with Haaland. In Brazil, they consider the two as incompatible, both penalty box strikers with goals on their mind.

READ: Real Madrid receive Endrick transfer boost

"Haaland will still be 24 when Endrick turns 18, which would be a difficult obstacle to overcome. Logically the player can't influence a squad's composition, but he can refuse to sign depending on their plans."

Endrick is already Palmeiras' greenest debutant and the Brazilian top flight's second youngest ever scorer, and Real are hopeful they can present the 16-year-old with a unique proposition in the coming seasons.

No major club in Europe has had the same success with Brazilian youngsters in the last couple of years, with Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo both going from teenagers with promise to world class players with a Champions League triumph under their belts.