Erling Haaland: Man City and Real Madrid 'ready to battle it out'

The race to sign Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland will reportedly come down to Manchester City and Real Madrid, with the Norwegian expected to make his decision in the next few weeks.

Haaland finds himself in the enviable position as one of the most in-demand players in world football.

Since joining Dortmund in 2020, the 21-year-old has been a revelation, scoring 80 goals in 79 matches, and the Athletic report that it will come down to a shootout between City and Real Madrid to land him in the summer.

Kylian Mbappe, who is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain this summer, stands as Real Madrid's priority move but they know they can ill-afford to dither if Haaland enters the market.

The report details that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, and the allure that comes with the Spanish giants, carries 'significant appeal' but in Man City he would enter a winning side that are crying out for a striker.

City boss Pep Guardiola even conceded prior to Sunday's Manchester derby win that a striker is of paramount importance ahead of next season.

'I think the club needs a striker, definitely,' said Guardiola.

'You say we play fantastically well without a striker because we are winning. When we are not winning, you say we need a striker.

'(You say) "how do these guys play without a striker? In the Premier League you have to play with a striker".

'So, we need a striker, I think the club is going to try.'

While the financial side of any deal is said to be a 'key factor', the report adds that it will be a 'personal' choice by Haaland as to where he goes next, and City will hope the fact his dad, Alf-Inge, played for them can sway the tide.

Man City and Real Madrid are seen as the front runners but a number of sides, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, PSG and Chelsea, have all previously been credited with interest.

Only last week did Barcelona manager Xavi fail to deny that he had flown to Germany alongside sporting advisor Jordi Cruyff to discuss signing Haaland.

Xavi said: 'I can't give details. I can only say that we are working for both the present and the future of the club.'

That coy suggestion was later dismissed by president Joan Laporta, who denied any negotiations have taken place.

As reported by Goal, speaking at a meeting of supporters' groups, Laporta said: 'I can deny that there has been any kind of negotiation over Haaland. Not a meeting, nor a conversation, nothing.

'With regards to the meeting between Xavi and Haaland in Munich, that's none of my business, but two sportsmen can talk about football, I suppose. The first thing we'd do is contact Borussia Dortmund, his club.'