Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have a strategy in place to sign Manchester City superstar in 2024 – report
“It’s not true,” said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola when asked about Erling Haaland’s alleged release clause that could be activated either in 2024 or in 2025.
Guardiola’s statements came as a shock but as it turns out, Spanish publication Diario AS is saying that the former Barcelona manager is deploying the same tactic that was used by Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke when Haaland was first linked with an exit from the German club.
It must be remembered that Watzke repeatedly said that ‘there is no clause’ in Haaland’s Dortmund contract. This was largely done to take the pressure off his player but in the end, City did manage to activate the €60 million clause that was always there.
As things stand, history is seeming to repeat itself. Guardiola is denying that his star attacker has no exit clause in his contract, but as confirmed by several outlets and journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, it exists.
Over the years, Haaland’s late football agent Mino Raiola has worked in a certain pattern. The pattern was to include an exit clause that can be activated in the first two years under certain conditions.
Back during the forward’s RB Salzburg days, Dortmund were given a preference, followed by City and now Real Madrid. For now, it’s been quoted that Madrid will have the option to sign the Norwegian for €200 million in 2024 or €175 million in 2025.
The fee may be astronomical, but Real Madrid have a situation to handle. To begin with, Karim Benzema is 34 and as reported before, an automatic activation will be in place once he wins the Ballon d’Or this year which would extend his current deal to 2024.
Beyond that, Real Madrid will have to look for some to fill the void. Now, it is believed that Haaland wanted to join Real Madrid in the summer but he knew displacing Karim Benzema would be impossible.
Hence, contacts were maintained by the Madrid club in order to keep the door open for his arrival in the future. And they believe that convincing the player will hold the key to the deal going through.
When the chance comes for Real to explore the possibility, they will certainly have to present Haaland with a project where he could feel at home, or even better than how is being treated at City this season.
Real Madrid have finally received some good news as MARCA confirms that Nacho has finally made his decision about his future, and is set to continue at the club for the foreseeable future.
His contract expires in the summer, and Real Madrid had tabled an extension for the player, which was not accepted by the Spaniard at the time. Now, however, he has decided to reject offers from Juventus, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and AC Milan.
Nacho will sign a one year extension, with the option to extend for another year if both parties reach an agreement.
His continuity also means that he will be the new club captain for the 2023/24 season, since Karim Benzema is leaving the club on a free transfer in the summer. Luka Modric will be second captain, followed by Daniel Carvajal and Toni Kroos.
Carlo Ancelotti has also spoken to the player, confirming that they trust him for next season in the team, which has gone a long way in helping convince the player.
The Italian gaffer also spoke about the Spanish defender’s contract situation after the game against Athletic Club yesterday, saying:
“Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos? We have explained them their roles. The club have offered them renewals. Asensio has preferred to leave, Ceballos and Nacho are still thinking about it.”
While a centre-back by trade, Nacho has played across the defence for Madrid continuously, including putting shifts at left-back, right-back, and even centre-back.
His departure would have probably pushed Madrid to sign another defender, especially since they are considering selling Ferland Mendy if a good offer arrives.
Regardless of that, though, Madrid are moving to sign Alphonso Davies, and have already made initial contacts with the player. Bayern Munich have not rejected their advances.
Further, the los blancos management have already met with Davies’ entourage twice, cementing their interest in the Canadian ace.
