Football fans across the world are eagerly waiting to see where the Norwegian wonderkid, Erling Haaland, will end up. The 20-year-old striker has been in sensational form this season and has attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Among these clubs, Real Madrid is one of the most interested parties. The question on everyone’s mind is – does Haaland want to go to Madrid?
Haaland: A Striker in Demand
Haaland’s performances for Borussia Dortmund have been nothing short of exceptional. Since joining the German giants in January 2020, he has scored a staggering 33 goals in just 32 appearances. It’s no surprise that his performances have caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Real Madrid is among those interested in signing Haaland, and it’s easy to see why. The Spanish giants have struggled for goals since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018. Karim Benzema has done an admirable job leading the line, but at 33 years old, he cannot be expected to carry the burden forever.
Enter Haaland – a young striker with pace, power, and a clinical eye for goal. He would be the perfect addition to Real Madrid’s attack and could help them compete for trophies once again.
The Madrid Connection
Haaland has strong ties to Real Madrid. His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played for Los Blancos during the 1997-1998 season. Additionally, his agent is none other than Mino Raiola – a man who has had many dealings with Real Madrid over the years.
Furthermore, Haaland himself is a fan of Real Madrid and idolizes former striker Ronaldo. In an interview with Marca last year, he said: “I am a big fan of Ronaldo – both him and Messi are two incredible players.”
What about Dortmund?
Despite all the interest in Haaland, it’s important to remember that he is currently a Borussia Dortmund player. The German side has been clear that they have no intention of selling their star striker this summer.
In a recent interview with Kicker, Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “We have made our position very clear on the Haaland case. He is not for sale.”
It’s worth noting that Haaland has a release clause in his contract, which becomes active next summer. The clause is believed to be around €75 million, which would make him an attractive proposition for many clubs.
The Final Verdict
So, does Haaland want to go to Madrid? The truth is, we don’t know for sure. While Haaland has expressed his admiration for Real Madrid and his agent has a good relationship with the club, there are many factors at play.
Ultimately, it will come down to whether Real Madrid can afford to meet Dortmund’s asking price and whether they can convince Haaland to join them. One thing is for sure – if he does end up at the Santiago Bernabeu, he could be the missing piece of the puzzle that helps them return to their former glory.