Haaland ‘very affordable’ for Real Madrid as Mbappe alternative

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 Jan 2024 09:17 GMT
• 3 min read

Erling Haaland is an “affordable” transfer target for Real Madrid, with the cost of the Manchester City forward far cheaper than previously believed.

AS reports that Haaland has become a viable signing for Los Blancos next summer as they weigh up potential alternatives to PSG forward Kylian Mbappe, who continues to be closely linked with the Bernabeu side.

While Mbappe may be Madrid’s leading target, the door is open for Haaland to potential move to the Spanish capital instead.

“With Haaland, there is a window of opportunity because the price the Norway international has put in his contract to be able to leave Man City is very reasonable if it is from a foreign club, and even more so if he is to go to Real Madrid,” AS claims.

“The €200 million or more that Haaland is worth is only in case a Premier League club wants him, something common among the giants in the English league to protect themselves from reinforcing their direct rivals. But Haaland and his agents have assured him a possible course in case he wants to leave the British Isles.”

It goes on to say that the clause is “much closer to €100m than €200m” and is “affordable” for Real Madrid.

This will be music to the ears of Man City's Premier League rivals, with Haaland having terrorised the division for the last 18 months by scoring 50 goals in 50 games in the competition.

Madrid’s pull for Haaland

Real Madrid have many attractions for Haaland, beyond simply being the most successful European club in history.

Not only could Haaland hook up with Jude Bellingham, who he got on so well during their Borussia Dortmund days, but he is also known to love Spain and already has properties in the country.

Furthermore, he would slot into the Real Madrid team more readily than Mbappe might. Haaland is a pure centre-forward, which is the role that Carlo Ancelotti’s side are glaringly short in this season.

Although the World Cup winner can play in that position, too, he has made it clear he favours playing out on the left, raising the question of just how he will fit into a Real Madrid team with Vinicius Junior should he join them in the summer of 2024.