Pep Guardiola has crossed paths with Haaland. Manchester City manager has asked his club to make a definitive effort for the Norwegian striker, who for his part has instructed his agent, Mino Raiola, to reach an agreement with Real Madrid as soon as possible.
The City’s petrodollars change the scene, as Real Madrid cannot enter into a direct bid with the Club / State. Nor can he face the signing of Haaland without releasing wages. The savings resulting from the losses of Bale, Marcelo and Isco, who end their contract in June, will serve to fit Mbappé’s record once your transfer is consumed. But adding Haaland also requires freeing up more space at the top salary. Hazard’s exit, which could serve that purpose, is very complicated. The Belgian wants to fulfill his contract and succeed in Madrid.
Added to these circumstances is Pep Guardiola’s insistence on hiring Haaland. The Catalan coach lost Agüero and more recently Ferran Torres, with which he counted as a battering ram. He has stayed with Gabriel Jesús as the only specialist. Hence his insistence on signing Haaland, whose only unknown is the 52 days he has been absent this season due to, directly or indirectly, a bloody hip flexor injury.
The only but great advantage of Real Madrid is that Haaland wants to play at the new Bernabéu and to be part, together with Mbappé, of the resurrection of a galactic team, a block like the one that Real Madrid had in the first decade of the century. This is what he has told his agent, Mino Raiola, who has regained harmony with the club’s leaders after a few years of cold, almost non-existent relationship. His visit to Valdebebas with Haaland’s own father was highly valued by both, that heThey bequeathed to the capital with the order of their client to build bridges with Real Madrid.