Real Madrid plans to sign Man City duo Cancelo and Haaland

Real Madrid are lining up a shock swoop for Erling Haaland in the summer of 2024 with Los Blancos also set to target Joao Cancelo, according to reports in Spain. The Manchester City pair have been right at the heart of the club’s eye-catching start to the season as Pep Guardiola’s rampant side go in search of yet another Premier League title.

Haaland has needed no time at all to settle into his new surroundings, gunning home a whopping 14 goals in all competitions so far this term.

He is the Premier League’s leading scorer and has also netted three times in this season’s Champions League group stages.

The pick of the bunch was a stunning acrobatic effort at the back post against former side Borussia Dortmund to earn a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

It was no coincidence that the strike was assisted by Cancelo, who stroked the ball to the far stick like an artist’s paintbrush on a canvas.

According to the front page of AS, Real Madrid have been so enchanted by the City duo that they plan to make moves for both players.

It’s claimed Real Madrid will go after Cancelo in the summer of 2023, although they are likely to have their work cut out trying to conclude a deal.

Back in February, Cancelo penned a two-year contract extension that will see his deal run until the summer of 2027.

The Portuguese full-back has previously played in Spain where he featured under Gary Neville at Valencia before moving to Italy with Juventus.

Despite the success Real Madrid are currently enjoying – Los Blancos are the LaLiga, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Spanish Super Cup holders – the club certainly aren’t resting on their laurels when it comes to short and medium-term squad planning. There are several targets on Madrid’s radar as they consider how to strengthen a first-team group whose future already looks bright, given it boasts a deluxe sextet of youngsters: Éder Militão, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Rodrygo Goes and Vinícius Júnior. Among the players Madrid’s gaze has settled on are a Manchester City duo who are highly rated at the Bernabéu: João Cancelo and Erling Haaland.

Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Cancelo

Madrid’s interest in Cancelo is nothing new. During his four-year spell in LaLiga with Valencia, the full-back impressed with his adventurous attacking play. His displays for Los Che, coupled with his form for Inter Milan and Juventus in a subsequent stint in Italy, earned him a move to Pep Guardiola’s City. Next summer, Cancelo will be 29; as a result, he is expected to be available for a fee of €40m to €50m at the most, despite being under contract until 2027. Carlo Ancelotti knows the player well from his recent spell in England as head coach of Everton, and admires Cancelo’s versatility. He is currently operating as a left-back at City, but his natural position is on the right flank.

The Portugal international is performing exceptionally on the left at the Etihad Stadium. Now in his fourth season at City, he has made 138 appearances for the Premier League champions, scoring eight goals and supplying 19 assists. At Madrid, the left-back role is currently occupied by Ferland Mendy and, from time to time, David Alaba. However, Ancelotti prefers to use Alaba at centre-back alongside Militão; it’s the defensive partnership that helped propel Madrid to the Spanish and European titles last season. Mendy is out of contract in 2025 – and talks over an extension have stalled as a result the Frenchman’s wage demands, which the club feel are excessive.

Mendy’s contract situation could boost the prospects of a Madrid swoop for Cancelo. AS understands that the Portuguese is aware of their interest and is open to joining a club where several international colleagues – chiefly Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe – have had immense success.

With Dani Carvajal now considered to be the weak link in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, it’s easy to see why Cancelo could be of interest.

A move for Haaland in 2024 is also reportedly in the offing as Karim Benzema continues to age.

The Frenchman is now operating at the peak of his powers having replaced the void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo with ease.

Benzema cannot do it forever though and the forward turns 25 in December before the turn of the year.

Real Madrid were among the contenders chasing Erling Haaland’s signature over the off-season.

Los Blancos, along with Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, were keen on the former Borussia Dortmund forward.

Ultimately, the Norwegian decided to join Manchester City, starting on fire with 14 goals in 10 games in all competitions, but Madrid are keeping an eye on him.

Spanish giants Real Madrid are plotting moves to sign Manchester City pair Joao Cancelo and Erling Haaland, reports AS.

Madrid will attempt to sign the 28-year-old Portuguese full-back in mid-2023, with Cancelo contracted until 2027, although the report claims he will cost around €40-50million (£35-44m).

The Spanish champions are planning a swoop for Haaland but not until 2024, with Karim Benzema in the twilight of his career.

Haaland reportedly has a termination clause in his City contract worth €180m (£158m) up until 2024.

Haaland City exit clause comes into play in 2024 :

As for Haaland, the Norway striker turned down the option of a move to Real Madrid earlier this year. Initial contact was made with the player’s father, Alf-Inge, who visited the club’s Valdebebas training complex with the late agent Mino Raiola, and sat down with Madrid general manager José Ángel Sánchez. However, Haaland did not want to compete with striker Karim Benzema at the Bernabéu and instead opted for City, where he was likelier to be starting week in, week out.

The 22-year-old still dreams of some day playing for Madrid, though, leading him to negotiate a €180m buy-out clause that takes effect in summer 2024. At that point, Los Merengues plan to move for Haaland. While it’s a lot of money, it’s a far from exorbitant amount to pay for such an insatiable goalscorer. In two years’ time, he’ll be completely ready to take over from Benzema, 34, who is expected to last another two seasons or so at his current level of performance.

– The Daily Star reports that Manchester United and David De Gea are set for key talks on his future, with the goalkeeper’s contract expiring in mid-2023. United hold an option to extend his stay.

– Manchester United may struggle in their bid to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, with the Villans to turn down any offer for him in January, claims Football Insider.

– Barcelona are keen to sign Wolves 25-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves as a long-term replacement for 34-year-old Sergio Busquets, reports Sport. Neves will be the Blaugrana’s top target at the end of this season.

– Gerard Pique is not interested in joining Atletico Madrid in January, claims Sport. The defender has fallen out of favour at Barcelona, but he is determined to fight for his spot.

– Calciomercato claims that Chelsea are interested in Inter wing-back Denzel Dumfries. The Italian club may be willing to part with the Dutchman for approximately £44m.

– Colombian forward Luis Muriel is ready to leave Atalanta, with a move to Fiorentina on the cards, according to Calciomercato.

– PSV striker Cody Gakpo is likely to have more offers in January with Manchester United, Southampton and Everton all still interested, claims Football Transfers.

– Thomas Tuchel is Real Madrid ‘s preferred replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, according to El Nacional. The Italian has told the club he does not intend to manage Madrid beyond this season.

REAL PREPARE CITY RAIDS

‘Madrid, to the assault of City’ is the headline as AS describes Real’s plan to pick off some of Pep Guardiola’ s best players.

First, the Spaniards want to take Joao Cancelo. Real have been aware of the Portugal star’s quality since his spell at Valencia and the European champions plan to make a move next summer, apparently in ‘an operation with a maximum cost of 40 to 50 million euros’. Christ knows what the pound will be worth by then, assuming it’s still a thing, but that still seems ambitious on Real’s part. They appear to banking on Cancelo pushing for the move.

The following year, Real plan to pinch Erling Haaland. The Norwegian goal machine visited Real as part of his European tour when picking his next club before he decided on City. Haaland didn’t want to compete with Karim Benzema, but in 2024, the starting spot would be exclusively his.

Real know full well that after two seasons at City a clause comes into effect worth 180million euros – ‘ a high but reasonable amount for an insatiable scorer’. Real can afford it as they are said to have squirrelled away 425million euros ‘thanks to good savings management’.

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Real Madrid plans to sign Man City duo Cancelo and Haaland

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