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The battleto sign Borussia Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland has reportedly been narrowed down to Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The Norwegian goal machine has attracted interest from more or less every big club in Europe after developing into one of the deadliest strikers in the world.
Haaland's €20 million move to Dortmund was always going to be a stepping stone for his career and his stock has only risen after notching 80 goals in 79 games.
The 21-year-old has a dirt-cheap €75 million (£68 million) release clause in his contract and according to Mark Ogden from ESPN, Real and City are the frontrunners.
Manchester United are no longer seen as an option, while Chelsea spent a club-record £97.5 million to bring Romelu Lukaku back to the club in the summer.
Paris Saint-Germain could be an outside shout depending on how the Kylian Mbappe situation pans out but it's said that the battle for Haaland is effectively a two-horse race.
The former Red Bull Salzburg man is believed to be keen on a switch to Real, who have no problem paying the £30 million-per-year wage packet Haaland is likely to ask for.
But City are also deemed to be a "serious threat". Haaland's father Alf-Inge played for the club and there are images of him at games wearing City merchandise as a youngster.
The Premier League champions are on the hunt for a new striker to fill the void left by Sergio Aguero and the thought of Haaland under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola is frightening.
Haaland played at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in April 2021 and was spotted walking around City's badge, whilst also being deep in conversation with Phil Foden at the final whistle.
Addressing his future last month, Haaland told Viaplay's Jan Aage Fjortoft: "The last six months I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund, but now the club has started to press me into making a decision.
“All I want to do is play football. But they press me […] about my future, so that means I have to make a decision soon.”
Featured Image Credit: Image: PATopics: Erling Haaland, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Real Madrid
Josh Lawless