Erling Haaland signing difficult after Kylian Mbappé's move to Real Madrid

One major casualty has emerged after the announcement of Mbappé's signing for Real Madrid: Erling Haaland. The 23-year-old had hopes of becoming a Real Madrid player as of 2025, after completing a three-season stint in the Premier League.

That possibility was pencilled in the diary of Haaland and his entourage, who had picked up Real Madrid’s call when the Spanish club wanted to understand the contractual situation that would allow him to leave City.

Does Haaland want to join Real Madrid?

Before we go any further, the possibility of seeing Haaland at Madrid in the future is not totally out of the question, although it is very difficult. The negotiating skills of Rafaela Pimienta, the Norwegian’s agent, are well known throughout the world of sport and it was Pimienta herself who devised a ludicrous contract for the player when he signed for City. Written within, there is a clause that allows the player to leave from the summer of 2024 for an amount of money that is affordable for non-Premier clubs.

The figure is, moreover, decreasing as the years go by. If Haaland were to renew, it is certain that Pimienta, as is her modus operandi, would continue to leave a door open for Haaland to leave: a door through which Madrid could always slip. Indeed, City have already made moves to step closer to the Norwegian’s renewal, but he has not yet been prepared to sit down to negotiate.

Can Real Madrid afford both Mbappé and Haaland?

The problem for Madrid, if it comes to it, will be how to juggle the salaries of two megastars like Haaland and Mbappé. But it is also true that the ‘new’ Bernabéu will provide the club with an economic injection, around €150 million.

According to Real Madrid sources, the club did not want to break the wage bill with Mbappé, who will be paid €15 million net, four more than the current top earner, David Alaba, and the outgoing Toni Kroos.

To make matters worse, AS understands from reliable sources familiar with the Norwegian’s situation, he owns 100% of his image rights. It is something of a taboo subject in Madrid, and was the main source of discussion with Mbappé.

Real Madrid, since the time of the Galácticos, share these image rights 50% with all its players, even in the time of Cristiano. This is due to the fact that the club believe that the players benefit from the notoriety of being at one of the world’s biggest clubs and can have a certain economic return. Mbappé will have 80% of his rights at Madrid. It would certainly be financially tough to bring together the two megastars, although nothing is impossible.

In any case, Manchester City have already communicated to Haaland’s entourage the need to start talking about a renewal. Now, the announcement of the official signing of Mbappé by Madrid gives the club more reasons to convince the Norwegian to extend his contract for another year and, incidentally, to try to seal the pathway for his future departure to Real Madrid.