“He Signed an Eight-Year Contract” .… But Real Madrid Could STILL Get Their Man! Fresh Claims Suggest £51m City Star Erling Haaland Might Not Be at the Etihad for Long
Real Madrid’s Champions League campaign came to a crashing halt on Wednesday night after being dismantled by a ruthless Arsenal side. The 15-time European champions were thoroughly outplayed across both legs, with the Gunners securing a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory to march into the semi-finals.
The defeat has sent shockwaves through the Spanish capital, where expectations are always sky-high. With Real Madrid also lagging behind fierce rivals Barcelona in the La Liga title race, the pressure is mounting on manager Carlo Ancelotti. Failure to reclaim the Spanish crown could spell the end for the veteran Italian coach, who has come under scrutiny for his inability to find the right balance within his squad this season.
Ancelotti, despite his glittering résumé and past triumphs, may soon find himself paying the price for Madrid’s shortcomings both domestically and in Europe. Traditionally, seasons that end in disappointment at the Santiago Bernabéu often trigger significant changes – and Ancelotti could be the first major casualty.
One of the key issues haunting Real Madrid this season has been the lack of a dependable, world-class centre-forward. Since Karim Benzema’s departure, the club has struggled to fill the void left by their legendary No. 9. While Kylian Mbappé has featured as a striker on several occasions, the French superstar – naturally a winger – has found it difficult to rise to the occasion in that unfamiliar role during high-stakes encounters.
This glaring gap in Madrid’s attack has reignited speculation about a potential move for one of the most feared forwards in world football – Erling Haaland. Despite recently signing a lucrative new eight-year deal with Manchester City, the Norwegian goal machine continues to be linked with a future move to Spain. His family is reportedly pleased with his current situation, but Real Madrid’s allure has historically proven irresistible for football’s elite.
Speaking on talkSPORT, pundit Danny Murphy weighed in on the matter, expressing his belief that Haaland could eventually don the famous white shirt.
“There’s always an exception – Stevie [Gerrard] didn’t go when he had the chance – but not many turn down Real Madrid,” Murphy commented. “It’s almost a rite of passage for the world’s best. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Haaland ends up there eventually.”
Indeed, Real Madrid have a storied tradition of recruiting the game’s most iconic centre-forwards – from Alfredo Di Stéfano and Hugo Sánchez to Ronaldo Nazário and Karim Benzema. Bringing in Haaland would not only restore that legacy but also solve their long-standing striker dilemma.
For now, however, Manchester City aren’t overly concerned. The Premier League champions have previously brushed aside rumours surrounding Haaland’s departure, confident in their project and the forward’s satisfaction at the Etihad. Their immediate focus is on Haaland’s recovery, as he works his way back from an injury sustained during City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth at the end of March.
Despite a slightly underwhelming season by his own extraordinary standards, the 24-year-old has still racked up an impressive 30 goals and four assists in 40 appearances across all competitions. His absence has been keenly felt, and fans were given a welcome boost this week when Haaland posted a video of himself running on his Instagram story, smiling into the camera and declaring, “We’re getting there!”
With the season drawing to a close, City will be hoping to have their star striker back at full fitness as they chase silverware and look to secure Champions League qualification. A strong finish – potentially capped with an FA Cup triumph – could provide a springboard into the 2025/26 season.
But as Real Madrid lick their wounds and ponder their next move, the looming figure of Erling Haaland may yet become a central character in their summer plans – and possibly, their future resurgence.
