Manchester City sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund but the Premier League champions are merely a stepping stone on his journey to La Liga, former Real Madrid and Spain star Fernando Morientes tells AS.
It is no secret that Haaland dreams of one day pulling on the gleaming white shirt of the 13-time European Champions.
And though the free-scoring Norwegian has agreed a long-term deal at the Etihad Stadium – one that seems to tie him down until the summer of 2027 – whether he sticks around to see out that contract in England’s North West is anyone’s guess.
Manchester City announced on Tuesday that they have triggered the £51 million release clause in Haaland’s contract.
And, according to Athletic reporter David Ornstein, there have been ‘suggestions’ of a similar clause being inserted into his Man City deal too.
“(A release clause) will be designed to potentially satisfy the long-held desire of Erling Haaland to represent Real Madrid. It’s a bit of a dream of his,” says Ornstein, one of English football’s most reliable reporters.
“City could be a stepping stone.”
Manchester City sign Erling Haaland
Morientes, who won three Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 1998 and 2002, struck a similar tone when asked if Manchester City are merely a temporary destination on Haaland’s journey to the Spanish capital.
“Well, it will be a bridge (to Madrid),” Morientes explains. “In a few years, he will want to come to Spain. England is a very attractive football destination for all professional players. I wanted to try it myself.
“But the Spanish is still the most attractive and the one that every great player should experience. Here, we have probably had the two best players in history; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.”
According to Goal, Real Madrid backed away from Haaland as recently as April, fearing that the striker’s eye-watering wage demands would destabilise Carlo Ancelotti’s dressing room.
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