Real Madrid News
Real Madrid have ‘beneficial conditions’ to sign Haaland from Man City in 2024
Erling Haaland has been under the limelight ever since his move to Manchester City in the summer, with the Norweigian grabbing more eyeballs with his hat-trick against Manchester United.
In light of his recent performances, many consider Haaland the next big thing in football. But according to El Chiringuito (h/t MARCA), his future might not necessarily lie at Manchester City, as the player had imposed a release clause on the Premier League giants.
As stated by former Real Madrid star Fernando Sanz on El Chiringuito, Haaland has a release clause that can be activated in the summer of 2024, with the player prioritising a move to Real Madrid.
“The information I have is that there is an exit clause for Haaland in the second year, and the curious thing is that with very beneficial conditions compared to the rest for a club… Which is Real Madrid,” Sanz said.
“Haaland puts in a clause that allows him to leave after two years but with priority for Real Madrid. Madrid puts up whatever money it takes and takes Haaland without talking to City,” El Chiringuito’s Josep Pedrerol then added.
Earlier reports had stated that the forward has two release clauses in his contract with Man City. One can be activated in 2024 while the second release clause is active from 2025.
The exact valuation of the clauses remain unknown but it is speculated to be around the €200 million mark in 2024, while interested parties will have to pay €175 million in 2025.
It is the same formula Haaland’s party used to sanction his exit from Borussia Dortmund. The player had joined the club for a fee of only around €20 million but was able to leave the club in the summer for only €70 million.
El Chiringuito claim the Norweigan will implement the same policy after spending two years at Manchester City. Real Madrid remain his desired destination, meaning Los Blancos may have the upper hand over other interested parties in 2024, in the race to sign the young forward.
However, Manchester City are already considering extending his contract, which expires in 2027, so that they can remove the release clause and prolong his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
In the meantime now, Haaland is likely to focus on his development at Manchester City. With 17 goals in 11 matches, the former Dortmund starlet has started his career in England on a positive note and will hope to continue his rapid growth in the coming years.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
