Haaland becomes "burden in dressing room" says it all as transfer stance emerges

Erling Haaland is said to be open to the idea of joining Real Madrid in the wake of fresh reports linking him with a blockbuster transfer to the Bernabeu.

The Manchester City striker, 24, has been a revelation since joining the Premier League champions back in the summer of 2022, winning the treble and demolishing a hatful of records after plundering 101 goals in just 109 games.

Unfortunately for City, Haaland 's prolific form has not gone unnoticed. Real Madrid are known to be long-term admirers of the Norway star and their arch-rivals, Barcelona, have also been credited with an interest in City's No.9 recently.

It has now emerged that Haaland IS attracted to the idea of joining the Real Madrid 'project' in the near future; something he has already communicated to his entourage, according to a new report from Sky Sports.

Haaland's contract is known to include a €150million (£125m) release clause which expires in 2027, which could work in the Spanish giants' favour. The same report outlines that City would move for Sporting Lisbon sensation Viktor Gyokeres if they were to lose Haaland to Real Madrid next summer.

Worryingly for City, Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, has made no secret of his desire to represent other clubs in Europe's elite. Speaking in the documentary, Haaland: The Big Decision', h e said: "I think Erling wants to prove his abilities in all leagues. Then he can stay there [Manchester City] for three or four years at the most.

"He could be, for example, two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half years in England and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?"

He continued: "On our list, I think City is the best team. [Bayern] Munich is number two. We have Real Madrid as number three, Paris Saint-Germain as number four. We also have some English teams other than City who are quite good. Liverpool and Chelsea. Also, there is Barcelona. They are sort of in the same row."

The constant speculation that surrounds Haaland is nothing new. It was the same at Borussia Dortmund, whose sporting director Sebastian Kehl went on to suggest that it made the striker a "burden in the dressing room."

Kehl previously told German publication Sport Bild: "As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment.

"He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful."