Erling Haaland, the prolific Manchester City striker, is reportedly feeling the ripple effects of Kylian Mbappe’s rumored departure from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to join Real Madrid in the upcoming summer transfer window. Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed that Mbappe has not entertained discussions with any club other than Real Madrid, which bodes well for the Spanish giants.
While the football world eagerly awaits Mbappe’s next destination, Haaland, hailing from Norway, finds himself discontented with this news. According to Spanish publication AS, Haaland’s mindset is in disarray, as he is “shaken” by Mbappe’s imminent arrival in the Spanish capital. Haaland had previously expressed his desire to don the colors of Santiago Bernabeu, but with Mbappe’s looming presence, his dreams of joining Real Madrid become increasingly elusive.
It is worth noting that Haaland possesses a release clause in his contract with Manchester City, affording him the opportunity to join the La Liga powerhouse in 2025. However, Real Madrid is unlikely to entertain the prоspect of securing both Haaland and Mbappe simultaneously. Consequently, should Mbappe grace the Spanish club, Haaland’s aspirations of a Bernabeu move will be officially rebuffed.
Even within the inner circles of Real Madrid, there appears to be a greater sense of enthusiasm for Mbappe’s prospective arrival than that of Haaland. Midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni emphasized that Kylian Mbappe would leave a lasting impression on Spanish fans, despite the transfer rumors not yet receiving widespread confirmation.
In an interview with Telefoot, Tchouameni remarked, “Football enthusiasts in Spain are more acquainted with Mbappe and eagerly anticipate his arrival here. They closely monitor Mbappe’s every move and genuinely comprehend his stature.”
During another interview with Sky Sports regarding Mbappe’s transfer saga, Tchouameni dropped a subtle hint, stating, “Honestly, I’m not overly concerned about it. Let’s all exercise patience and wait. It is Mbappe who will decide to join Real, not me.”
Mbappe himself has maintained a veil of silence regarding his future. He aims to demonstrate respect for PSG and remain focused on the remainder of the season. However, Mbappe has already planned to unveil his new club before the commencement of Euro 2024 on June 14. He expressed, “My objective is to enter the Euros with a composed mindset and be fully prepared to deliver marvels after announcing my new team to everyone.”
Mbappe’s contract with PSG will expire at the culmination of the 2023-2024 season, rendering him a free agent. If he were to join Real Madrid, no transfer fee would be required, but a substantial signing bonus of $108 million would be extended to Mbappe. Additionally, he would become the highest-earning player at the Bernabeu, surpassing the likes of Vinicius and Jude Bellingham with an annual salary of €13 million.