Erling Haaland back on Real Madrid’s radar – Deal hinges on outcome of presidential election | OneFootball

Manchester City star Erling Haaland is back on Real Madrid’s radar but a transfer would only be considered if candidate Enrique Riquelme becomes their new president, according to reports in Spain. 

Florentino Perez, the club’s current leader, announced last week that elections would run for only the third time in the 21st century after Los Blancos failed to win a major trophy for the second consecutive season. 

In what has been a miserable campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 15-time European champions have seen three managers depart in the last 12 months, exited the UEFA Champions League at the semi-final stage and pipped to the La Liga title by rivals Barcelona.

Riquelme sets Real Madrid aspirations

Perez, 79, led Real from 2000 to 2006 before returning for a second tenure in 2009, where he has since stayed in post without facing any presidential opposition across the last five election cycles, being unchallenged since 2004.

However, last Thursday, Riquelme sent a letter to the commission to express his desire to present a project for Real Madrid’s future. Since then, he has confirmed his candidacy and already has his eyes set on making changes at the La Liga club. 

According to El Confidencial, with information translated and relayed by Sport Witness, renewable energy tycoon Riquelme wants to make big changes to the Real Madrid squad but also provide backing for greater coaching.

Klopp to Madrid could propel Haaland transfer

While Riquelme has declined to name specific players or coaches who might join if he is elected as president, reports suggest he has already held contact with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in some capacity about a move. 

Additionally, Riquelme has set his sights on appointing the former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who won the UEFA Champions League and Premier League at Anfield across a nine-year period.

Of course, any exchanges rely heavily on Riquelme getting elected at the Santiago Bernabeu so a move for Haaland already seems highly unlikely due to his ongoing contract at the Etihad Stadium, which runs until 2034.

Could Haaland join Real Madrid?

However, with Pep Guardiola departing City after a glorious decade, Real Madrid could try to take advantage and the reports from Spain suggests Haaland would request a transfer if he came to an agreement with Riquelme and his team. 

Haaland joined City in 2022 for a fee of £51 million and helped Guardiola win his first UEFA Champions League title at the club in 2023. He also set the record for the most goals scored by a player in a Premier League season (36) and the most by a Premier League player in all competitions in a campaign (52). 

Though it is hard to believe a move will transpire between Real and Haaland, a new president, paired with Guardiola’s departure, could spark a shift in mindset for the 25-year-old.