“Haaland loves Real Madrid”

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke knows a thing or two: Speaking to AS this past June, as Real Madrid’s presidential election campaign was drawing to a close, Watzke addressed two names that continue to shape the game’s biggest storylines: Erling Haaland and Jürgen Klopp. If there is anyone qualified to speak about the Norwegian striker and the German coach, it is the man who backed both of them long before they became global superstars.

“His time will come”

Now, Haaland finds himself at another defining moment in his career. Norway has returned to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, powered in large part by the striker’s brilliance and his seven-goal haul.

When it came to Klopp, Watzke left no room for doubt, insisting that the former Liverpool manager would not be taking charge of any club side. As for Haaland, he confirmed that the forward would not be leaving Manchester City this summer, but also made it clear that he believes he knows where the player’s future ultimately lies. “Erling loves Real Madrid and he doesn’t hide it,” Watzke said. “I think at some point - in two or three years - he’ll be playing there, but not now. His time will come.”

The Borussia Dortmund president’s remarks leave little doubt about what the striker wants. A completely different matter, however, is finding the right moment and circumstances for a move to materialize. Right now, Haaland shares the distinction of being the world’s most valuable player alongside Lamine Yamal, with both valued at €200 million ($228 million) by Transfermarkt.

Haaland was capable of shaking up the established order of world soccer by playing a leading role in Norway’s stunning elimination of Brazil. His combination of power and presence proved too much for the South American giants - just as many within Carlo Ancelotti’s coaching staff had anticipated. His physical dominance and footballing quality overwhelmed everyone in his path.

He has been demonstrating those qualities at City for the past four years, but the World Cup has provided a global stage for everyone to witness the full extent of his talent. It is a reminder of the same striker who scored an astonishing nine goals against Honduras at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Seven years later, the Norwegian has reached the summit in both reputation and market value. City has denied the existence of a release clause in his contract, although it is worth noting that his representatives have always maintained that their players decide both their destination and the timing of any move. The club has effectively built its project around Haaland.

He is the team’s highest-paid player, has eight years remaining on his deal - which would take him to age 33 - and enjoys the promise that the squad will continue to be structured to maximize his strengths.

Ever since Real Madrid passed on the opportunity to sign a young Haaland when he was beginning to make waves at Molde, links between the striker and the Spanish giants have never gone away. His name was already on Madrid’s radar when he was 17, but it was RB Salzburg that ultimately paid the €8 million ($9.1 million) required to secure his signature.

Kylian Mbappé took seven years to finally say yes to Real Madrid. Time will tell whether history repeats itself and Haaland eventually follows the same path to the Santiago Bernabéu at some stage in his career.

One thing is certain: Real Madrid’s admiration for the striker has never faded. In truth, it has been there from the very beginning, back when a 16-year-old Haaland was already turning heads in Norway.

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