From Spain: Real Madrid plot double raid on Manchester City in 2023 and 2024
Real Madrid are planning a double swoop for Manchester City's Joao Cancelo and Erling Haaland in 2023 and 2024 respectively, according to reports in Spain.
The reigning European champions were heavily linked with a move for Haaland since the start of the calendar year, with various sources hinting at a two-way battle between City and Madrid for the Norwegian's signature.
Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is understood to have been Real Madrid's primary target for the summer transfer window - though the France international decided to sign a three-year contract at the Parc des Princes in the end.
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Madrid were locked in negotiations with Mbappe's camp for months on end and were believed to be confident of pulling off one of the most sensational deals of the century.
However, a late blow saw them miss out on both Mbappe and Haaland, with the latter heading to the Etihad Stadium for a reported fee of £51 million.
Real Madrid were initially claimed to be Haaland's preferred destination as the 22-year-old eyed his next destination towards the end of his time at Borussia Dortmund.
However, Manchester City managed to persuade the Norwegian to join hands with Pep Guardiola and represent the club he supported as a child and snub a possible switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Haaland has since made an electrifying start to life in England, scoring 14 times in his opening 10 outings for the Premier League champions.
The Leeds-born striker opened the scoring in City's most recent league win - a 3-0 triumph away at Wolves - days after netting the winner against Dortmund in a Champions League group-stage tie.
A peach of a cross played by Joao Cancelo found Manchester City's talisman, who scored in acrobatic fashion to secure the points for the Blues over Dortmund after John Stones had cancelled out Jude Bellingham's opener.
The latest reports coming out of Spain claim that the recent heroics over in Manchester have gone far from unnoticed in the Spanish capital.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid are plotting a double move for Manchester City pair Erling Haaland and Joao Cancelo.
It is mentioned that Cancelo is 'already aware' of Los Blancos' interest and would 'gladly accept' a switch to the Bernabeu in a potential move worth €40-45 million next summer, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness.
However, it is worth noting that it is highly unlikely that Manchester City will sanction a sale for one of Pep Guardiola's best players - who signed a fresh five-year contract with the Blues in February - anytime soon.
AS have also brought up the presence of a possible €180m release clause in Erling Haaland's contract at Manchester City that could come into play in the summer of 2024.
Real Madrid would then hone their focus on the Norway international, who is deemed as the ideal replacement for Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu in two years' time - after spending two seasons in Manchester.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Real Madrid, La Liga, Erling Haaland, Joao Cancelo, Transfers, Football
Vayam Lahoti