Journalist: Player who rejected Liverpool now No.1 option at Real Madrid to replace Benzema

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According to Alfie Haaland – the father of Erling Haaland – Liverpool were a potential destination for the Norway international before he joined Manchester City.

The 22-year-old drew up a shortlist of options alongside his father, before eventually snubbing the Reds in favour of a move to the Etihad Stadium as the Telegraph transcribed.

Liverpool could get another chance to sign Haaland with a release clause set to become active in 2024.

However, it seems Real Madrid are planning to outmuscle Jürgen Klopp once again.

Liverpool may have missed only chance to sign Haaland

Well, Real Madrid got one over on Liverpool when beating them to the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni over the summer, and the Spanish giants are now plotting a move for Haaland.

Florian Plettenburg of Sky Germany believes Los Blancos have identified the Norwegian wonderkid as their No.1 option to replace Karim Benzema, who turns 35 in December and has struggled with injuries this season.

Haaland is believed to have a release clause worth €200m (£176m) which becomes active in 2024.

Plettenburg adds that Benzema wants to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu, with his current terms set to expire in July.

However, as we saw in the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus back in 2018, Real Madrid have no room for sentiment if they feel a player is getting beyond his best.

Real Madrid proving to be a nuisance for Liverpool

In our view, Liverpool will be getting a bit sick of Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have beaten them to the Champions League on two occasions, signed Tchouameni, and according to Marca, they are also well placed to sign Jude Bellingham ahead of the Reds.

Now, any hope Liverpool had of one day getting their hands on Haaland would appear to be over, if Real Madrid genuinely view him as the heir to Benzema’s throne.