Real Madrid make contact with ‘special’ Man City hero after £217m reveal

Real Madrid have made contact with a “special” Manchester City player with a view to a move to the club in 2026, with the Spanish giants potentially having huge funds to spend.

Haaland’s stunning form continues for Norway

Pep Guardiola’s side haven’t always been perfect this season, but Erling Haaland’s form has been astonishing, with the 25-year-old discussing being in the form of his life following last weekend’s 1-0 win over Brentford.

“You can say it, I’ve never felt better than I do now. So yes, you can say it. I think it’s all about preparation, preparation for games. You can be ready physically, but you also have to be ready mentally.”

Today, Haaland broke another record, becoming the fastest player in history to score 50 goals at international level, following his hat-trick for Norway against Israel, reaching that milestone faster than Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, among others.

There is arguably no better player in the world on current form than Haaland, with City well aware that he is an invaluable player for them for many years to come.

According to Caught offsideReal Madrid have been in contact with Haaland’s representatives over a move next year, potentially replacing Vinicius Junior, with the Brazilian reportedly worth up to £217million for them.

That said, City have ‘indicated’ that they have no intention of selling the Norwegian, and the striker is ‘not pushing to leave the Etihad Stadium’, which is significant.

Losing Haaland at this stage of his career isn’t worth the thought for City, given he is peerless in his position, proving unstoppable when fully fit. Guardiola knows more than anyone how important it is to keep hold of his star striker, praising him last month after one of his latest star turns.

“Erling has never disappointed us since he arrived. Erling has commitment, that’s why he signed a contract for many years. He is a special player.”

The only positive from Haaland’s departure is that City are in an extremely strong negotiating position, with the striker’s contract not expiring until the summer of 2034, meaning they can demand an incredible sum for his services.

But no fee is enough to be open to selling him, and it would be a huge surprise if a move to Madrid happens in the near future, unless Haaland himself suddenly changes his mind.

He is constantly maturing as a footballer and, frighteningly for defenders everywhere, his peak years are potentially only just beginning, and City will be hoping he becomes one of the greatest attacking players of all time at the Etihad and nowhere else.