With Real Madrid said to still be interested in signing Kylian Mbappe, a plot twist involving Erling Haaland has now reportedly been revealed.
According to reports in Spain, Real have not closed the door on the Paris Saint-Germain superstar despite his decision to not join them last year.
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Having penned a new two-year deal – which includes an option for a further year – with his current side in May 2022 instead, the move was thought to have soured his relationship with Los Blancos president Florentino Perez.
The Spanish giants have since reportedly set a condition that they will only sign the Frenchman as a free agent when he becomes available again in June 2024 as they have no interest in negotiating with the Ligue 1 powerhouse.
With the Mbappe transfer thus still seemingly on the cards at a later stage, the Madrid giants are now said to be considering an alternative to the Frenchman.
According to L'Equipe, Los Blancos will pick between signing either the France captain or Haaland from Manchester City at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.
With the former having an option to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes for another year until June 2025, it is said to be unlikely he will trigger that clause.
Real are understood to be keen to sign a superstar forward given Karim Benzema's age and injury struggles this season, and Haaland is believed to have a £150 million (R3.5 billion) release clause in his City contract that will be active from the end of next season.
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It is said the buyout clause was linked to Pep Guardiola's future at the Etihad, but the Spanish manager penned a contract extension with the club in November 2022, just months after the striker had joined from Borussia Dortmund.
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