Real Madrid President Florentino Perez Claims Erling Haaland Is Only Good Enough To Make Their Bench

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez insists Erling Haaland is only good enough to make their bench after missing out on the striker's signature.

Champions League winners Madrid were one of several clubs hoping to sign Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

Manchester City eventually won the race to sign the Norway international, paying just £51m for the striker after triggering a release clause in his contract at Dortmund.

It was the second major blow of the summer transfer market for Madrid after seeing their top target Kylian Mbappe turn down a move to the Bernabeu to remain at Paris Saint-Germain.

Perez insists Madrid were never seriously interested in Haaland and claims the 21-year-old would only be good enough for a place on their bench if he had joined, with Ballon d'Or favourite Karim Benzema currently starting up front for Real.

"We have the best 9 in the world and we weren't going to bring Haaland to have him on the bench," Perez told El Chiringuito.

"Clause in two years? I don't know. Now we have no more interest than forming the new team with the youngsters we have and some reinforcements."

While it certainly sounds like a case of sour grapes from Perez, the Madrid president appears to be more bitter about losing out on Mbappe.

The France international was expected to join the Spanish champions on a free transfer at the end of the season before a sensational u-turn saw him sign a new three-year deal with PSG, worth a reported £42.5m per season.

"His dream was to play at Real Madrid, we wanted to do it last August and they didn't let him leave, he kept saying he wanted to play at Madrid and like 15 days before he changed the situation," added Perez.

"This is not the Mbappe I wanted to bring, he is another one, who must have changed his dream.

"He changes, he is offered other things, he is pressured and he is already another footballer. There is no one at Real Madrid above the club."

Perez added: "He is a great player, he can win more than others, but it is a collective sport and we have values and principles that we cannot change."

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