Manchester City’s Erling Haaland becomes ‘number one target’ for Champions League giants in deal that has come out of nowhere

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is reportedly attracting interest from an elite European club despite signing a new ten-year contract at the Premier League champions in January.

Haaland, 24, is currently out with an ankle injury, which he sustained during the FA Cup quarter-final victory at Bournemouth on March 31.

However, the Norwegian striker has still managed to register 30 goals and four assists in 40 appearances this term – despite Man City not being at their best for most of the 2024/25 campaign.

And since arriving at Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer of 2022, Haaland has netted 120 times in his 138 appearances, making him one of the most ruthless goal scorers in Europe.

His consistently impressive performances have reportedly attracted the interest of an elite European club, as reported by The Athletic.

The report claims that if Vinicius Junior leaves Real Madrid, amid interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, that “[Florentino] Perez’s No 1 target to replace him would be the City striker Erling Haaland, even though the Norway international signed a contract in January that runs until 2034”.

Los Blancos were one of several clubs interested in signing Haaland from Borussia Dortmund before the forward joined City almost three years ago.

Erling Haaland is currently out injured (Credit:Getty)

However, The Athletic’s piece goes on to explain how Vini Jr’s entourage remains “calm about the situation” with the player said to be “relaxed” about his future.

What has Erling Haaland said about his future?

Haaland isn’t one to speak openly about his future but he did reveal how it was an “easy decision” to pen a new deal at City earlier this year.

“In the end, speaking with the people I spoke with, the hunger and the support that I have been getting for the last couple of years from the board, from the bosses and from Pep, it was an easy decision, ” said Haaland in January.

“I am delighted. When I spoke to Pep, the best manager in the world, it is also a great thing to speak with him and to train and play under him every single day.

“To get his input on me and how I can become a better footballer and to develop even more. He is the best.

“Of course, you are here to win trophies, here to perform, here to be at your best and to deliver at your best. That is what you have to do here because you come here, people expect you to win trophies and that is why you are here.”