Real Madrid News
Manchester City advised Bundesliga goal-machine to join Real Madrid later in his career
Manchester City have told Erling Haaland that they would not come in his way if he wishes to move to Spain after four or five years, but have advised him to join them at the moment.
It’s no secret that Haaland loves Spain, the Spanish culture and even owns a property there, but if the reports coming from The Times are to be believed, the Cityzens have taken a significant leap in acquiring the young forward.
The aforementioned source says they are even close to striking a deal with Haaland, which will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.
City have been in pole position since February when the club’s official met with Haaland’s representatives in Monaco.
Back then, the team agreed to meet his release clause and are also willing to pay the agent’s fee, taking the operation somewhere around €120 million.
The news comes as a huge blow for Madrid since they are looking to acquire a top-class striker who can accompany Karim Benzema next season. But even if they miss out on Haaland, PSG’s Kylian Mbappe remains another player in the pipeline.
The 2018 World Cup winner reportedly has an agreement with Real, as he sees his current PSG deal running out at the end of the season.
PSG, however, are not the one to bow out that easily. They are doing everything in their power to convince the 23-year-old by literally waving a blank cheque at him.
But if Mbapee does decide to move to Real, City will strengthen their position in Haaland’s pursuit. In an otherwise scenario, City are still hopeful that they will, indeed, land the Norweigian by assuring him that they would not stand in his way if he decides to move to Spain some four or five years on.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
