THE battle for Erling Haaland’s signature is reportedly narrowing to a two-horse race.
Manchester United are said to be out of the running to land the 21-year-old wonderkid this summer.
And Chelsea’s interest is thought to be waning as club chiefs still hope £97.5million-signing Romelu Lukaku will come good.
Now ESPN reports Manchester City and Real Madrid are the two European giants left to scrap it out for the Dortmund striker’s services.
Norway international Haaland is one of world football’s hottest properties after smashing in 80 goals in just 79 appearances for the Bundesliga side.
The player himself is thought to favour a move to the Bernabeu and Real reckon they have the funds to bring him in.
He could cost around £30m a year in wages but the LaLiga leaders are set to shift a host of stars – including Gareth Bale, Isco and Marcelo – off their books to free up the cash.
City could easily afford such sums and are still searching for a striker after failing to bring in England skipper Harry Kane last summer.
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The Premier League champs also know the chance to work with manager Pep Guardiola is a strong factor in their favour.
Haaland wants trophies and City are prime candidates to win this season’s Champions League – and continue doing so in the next two to three years.
Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich could be an option if they lose talisman Robert Lewandowski this summer.
And Paris Saint-Germain are set to be in the market for a new hitman when Kylian Mbappe heads to Madrid, but it’s thought Ligue 1 isn’t high on Haaland’s agenda.
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