Raiola and Haaland’s father put brakes on City switch
According to Bild, Haaland’s asking price could rise by a further 70 million euros in commissions as both the player’s father and agent are keen to receive their cut as part of the operation.
Manchester City and Real Madrid remain at the front of the queue of clubs jostling to sign Erling Haaland but according to reports from German daily Bild, plans to take the Norwegian striker to the Premier League are at a standstill. In the latest developments, negotiations reached a stalemate due to the demands of the player’s father Alf Inge and his agent, Mino Raiola - key players in the operation. As Bild claim, both are keen to ensure they are handsomely rewarded with seven-figure commissions. That would add an additional 70 million euros onto the transfer fee for City - 30 million for Alf-Inge for acting as middleman between the club and the player and 40 million for Raiola. “Are they being too greedy?” ask Bild.
Haaland keen on Bernabéu move
Haaland is still unsure of what to do. The 21-year-old, who is still under contract with Borussia Dortmund, would prefer a move to Real Madrid rather than join City. But he would rather not wait another season before that transpires. Haaland doesn’t fancy another year in the Bundesliga but Madrid already have one big money signing lined up for this summer - Kylian Mbappé. And besides, they will have no room for him until Benzema reaches the end of his contract. That left City to take the initiative, in spite of doubts as to whether Haaland will be able to seamlessly fit into Guardiola’s high-possession style of play. As for the economic side, City have budgeted for a total of 350 million euros - a figure which would include paying the player’s retention fee, a signing-on fee, salary and bonuses. But City are not prepared to accept the conditions set out by the player’s father and agent.
In the meantime, Dortmund have been very clear about their position regarding their star player. Ahead of Saturday’s 6-1 win over Wolfsburg, in which Haaland contributed a couple of goals, Sebastian Kehl, Head of the Player Department, told Sky that Dortmund have not received a concrete offer. “There is a retention clause, as we know, and there is a time limit. We want to make a decision as soon as possible...”