Real Madrid could scrap world record transfer swoop for Mbappe and turn attention to Erling Haaland instead

REAL MADRID could scrap their world-record transfer swoop for Kylian Mbappe in order to go all out to sign goal-mad Erling Haaland instead.

Los Blanco sit two points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga title race after a poor week saw them drop five points.

Real Madrid will have to decide whether to pick Haaland or Mbappe

Real Madrid could now focus on Haaland instead of MbappeCredit: Getty

Real Madrid slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Levante on Saturday, with Eden Hazard picking up yet another ankle injury.

And with the goals drying up, Madrid president Florentino Perez could be tempted to turn to Borussia Dortmund goal-machine Haaland this summer.

Real Madrid have been chasing 21-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star Mbappe since last summer, with the Frenchman long seen as the future of the Spanish giants.

But so strong has Haaland’s form in Germany been, Bernabeu bosses are said to be considering a move for the Norwegian star instead.

Haaland, 19, only joined Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January – having been on the radar of Manchester United for months.

But since then, he’s scored 12 times in just eight matches – having netted a further 24 times earlier this season in Austria.

Dortmund spent just £18million on Haaland, meaning he is still likely to be a cheaper alternative to Mbappe – rated at closer to £250m – even if he were to cost £100m.

Most-fittingly, Haaland scored both goals in the 2-1 Champions League last-16 first-leg clash against Mbappe’s PSG – with Neymar scoring the French side’s only goal.

Mbappe is currently under contract at PSG until at least 2022, while Haaland is under contract until 2024.

However, the Norwegian – who could link up with compatriot Martin Odegaard if he joins Madrid – has a clause in his current deal.

The clause states that in 2021, Haaland is available to leave Dortmund for just £65m – a far, far more reasonable alternative to mega-money Mbappe.

But it’s likely Los Blancos need reinforcements THIS summer with Hazard, Luka Jovic, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior failing to fill the goals void left by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2018.

The only difference now is, rather than Mbappe joining being a mere formality, it now could be a straight shootout between the French youngster and Haaland.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk