REAL MADRID are plotting an ambitious bid for Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland, according to reports.
The reigning Prem champions won the race for Haaland last summer, but Madrid are growing in confidence that they can make his City stay a brief one.
Madrid president Florentino Perez is trying to regenerate his side by targeting the globe’s top young talent – with Haaland’s former Borussia Dortmund pal Jude Bellingham also fitting the bill.
According to the Independent, they see Haaland as the perfect replacement for 35-year-old Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
The red-hot 22-year-old has scored 27 goals in 25 games for City and is happy at the Etihad.
But Madrid know that he is unlikely to stay at any club for an extended spell, and reckon it’s at least worth a try to prise him away from Pep Guardiola’s side after just one season.
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They had initially planned to wait until 2024 to make a swoop, but reckon that uncertainty surrounding City amid alleged financial breaches could help their cause.
Another factor that could attract Haaland may be the possibility to link up with Bellingham again.
The duo starred together at Dortmund, and would bolster a formidable young Madrid core already including the likes of Vinicius Jr, Eduardo Camavinga and Fede Valverde – as well as incoming starlet Endrick.
Should Bellingham decide to join Madrid, it would be a huge blow to other would-be suitors including Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and even City themselves.
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The LaLiga champions were initially thought to be prioritising Kylian Mbappe over Haaland.
But key figures at the club felt stung by Mbappe’s decision to pen a contract extension at PSG last year – causing them to turn their full attention to Haaland.
Boss Carlo Ancelotti could leave Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, and has been linked with the Brazil post.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
