Real Madrid move for Manchester City superstar just a matter of time – report | OneFootball

Manchester City and Norway superstar Erling Haaland has emerged as one of the biggest stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Norwegian striker has once again become one of the most talked-about names in world football after netting seven goals at the tournament, leading his team to the quarter-finals.

His performances have also revived a familiar storyline: the long-standing links with Real Madrid.

And now, according to AS, those who know Haaland well continue to insist that a move to the Santiago Bernabeu is ‘only a matter of time’.

Watzke’s Remarkable Prediction

Borussia Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke offered an intriguing insight during an interview with the Spanish publication in June, coinciding with the conclusion of Real Madrid’s presidential election campaign.

“He loves Real Madrid and doesn’t hide it. I think he will play there in two or three years, but not any sooner. He has not committed himself to anyone, just as his father has said,” he had said.

Haaland loves Real Madrid. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

The comments came amid growing speculation linking the striker with Real Madrid and suggested that, while a move was not imminent, the Spanish club remained the player’s preferred long-term destination.

This was again reaffirmed by the forward’s father, Alf-Inge, who refused to rule out a future move to Real Madrid in the near future.

“Everyone wants to play for Real Madrid and win the Champions League. Would I like to see him at Real Madrid? Maybe, maybe,” he said.

“There’s always a chance in football; there are fantastic clubs in Spain and you never know, but at the moment he’s happy in England.”

A long-standing Real Madrid story

The connection between Haaland and Real Madrid stretches back many years.

Before he became one of Europe’s most feared strikers, Los Blancos were already monitoring him while he was emerging at Molde as a teenager. Inside Valdebebas, admiration for the Norwegian has never faded.

Haaland has long been admired at Real Madrid. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

When he was 17 years old, his name was again discussed internally at the Spanish club.

Real Madrid ultimately decided not to make a move, allowing RB Salzburg to secure his signature for around €8 million.

Since then, speculation linking Haaland with Real Madrid has never truly disappeared.

One of the biggest names in football

Today, Haaland shares the title of football’s most valuable player with Lamine Yamal, both carrying an estimated market value of €200 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Manchester City have repeatedly denied reports that the striker has a release clause in his contract, which runs for another eight seasons.

However, his representatives have long maintained that Haaland prefers to decide both where and when he takes the next step in his career.

And, everything seems to suggest that the striker’s next preferred destination is Real Madrid, with a move seen as only a matter of time.