BREAKING NEWS: coming from Fabrizio Romano, Real Madrid have reportedly made “initial contact” with the representatives of Erling Haaland, according to reliable sources. The Norwegian superstar has been linked with a move to the Bernabeu for some time, and halland want to make a move and it appears that the Spanish giants are now exploring the possibility of signing him. Haaland is one of the most sought-after players in the world, and it would be a major coup for Real Madrid as they try to lure him away from his current club.

As reported by Cadena SER, Real Madrid is pursuing Erling Haaland using a strategy reminiscent of their successful approach with Haaland’s former Borussia Dortmund teammate, Jude Bellingham, last summer. This tactic involves a discreet charm offensive behind the scenes.

Haaland has recently emerged as a primary target for Real Madrid, particularly with Kylian Mbappe allegedly willing to surpass their two-week deadline for accepting their offer as his Paris Saint-Germain contract winds down. The ideal scenario for Real would be to bring together all three players—Haaland, Mbappe, and Bellingham—recognized as the top three most valuable players globally according to FootballTransfers’ algorithm.

However, securing deals for the latter two after paying €103 million to Dortmund for Bellingham in July could pose financial challenges.  Real Madrid’s approach involves a two-pronged strategy: engaging in discussions with Haaland’s entourage directly while leaving negotiations with Manchester City to third parties.

This mirrors their methodology in securing Bellingham’s signing the previous season.  According to Francisco Jose Delgado’s report, Real Madrid has initiated “more than a dozen” contacts with Haaland and his associates, even showcasing their training facilities. The intention is clear: to build a rapport without disrupting Haaland’s current commitments with his then-employer, Borussia Dortmund.

Real’s ultimate objective is for Haaland to choose them as his future destination. Once this is established, they aim to negotiate a fee with Manchester City that deviates from the fixed amount in Haaland’s contract, contingent on the exchange rate between the pound and the euro.

Additionally, it is revealed that Bellingham maintains regular communication with Haaland, offering positive insights about playing for Madrid and residing in the Spanish capital.  The success of this strategy remains uncertain, although it’s noteworthy that Haaland had previously come close to joining Real Madrid, with the record European champions ranking second in a matrix devised by Haaland and his father, Alfie. At that time, Karim Benzema occupied the No.9 position, blocking Haaland’s potential move.