Who's better suited to Real Madrid: Mbappe or Haaland?

Jacque Talbot

• 8 Jan 2024 16:00 GMT
• 3 min read

Real Madrid have set its sights on reinforcing the squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season, with reports suggesting that one Kylian Mbappe is emerging as their primary target.

The 25-year-old’s contract is up at Paris Saint-Germain in June so can talk with other clubs over a prospective move. Madrid have imposed an unofficial deadline for Mbappe, specifically January 15 being the date on which he must clarify his future, or risk missing out on a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.

And yet again, another facet of the saga is Erling Halaand of Manchester City. The 23-year-old broke records in the Premier League last season, and it’s clear that the striker is someone that Los Blancos could bring in to score 40-50 consistently. His contract with City is until 2027 - but his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has often indicated a willingness to explore a move away in the coming years. And there is no greater pinnacle in football than Real Madrid.

Indeed, the Spanish giants had received encouraging news regarding Haaland and his future There is a feeling that the release clause inserted in his deal is more reasonable for foreign clubs. Premier League sides will have to fork out some €200 million, but for clubs such as Madrid, it’s closer to €100 million.

Vini Jr. is among the biggest stars at Real and, unquestionably, Mbappe’s best position is shared with the Brazilian. There have been reports that Carlo Ancelotti believes that there is a system in which both would fit in, but it’s unthinkable that either is deserving to pip the other to the same spot. Mbappe as the No.9 would just not work, though of course, it would act as an upgrade to Joselu. In that sense, the need for a towering striker who can play down the centre is needed. And you could not ask for a better example than Haaland.

What we do know is that Real are looking to bolster their side further with a Galactico, a credential that is certainly suitable to the Frenchman. The club envisions a scenario where the revamped Bernabeu, set to open in July 2024, will have at least one Galactico will be unveiled.

But even that poses problems: the Man City star might be of world-class ilk, but there is a clear argument to be made against him being an elite galactico. This is even more so when you pit him against Mbappe, who commercially blows the Norway international out of the park. To compound this even further, there is the addition of Endrick. The Palmeiras player will join Real in the summer as soon as he turns 18.

Would the addition of Haaland hinder his development? Or is it genuinely too soon for the young Brazilian? Whatever way you look at it, Mbappe just appears to make a lot more sense than Haaland, even if positionally things might be a bit jaded.