Real Madrid 'in touch' with Erling Haaland ahead of world record offer

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 12 Oct 2025 19:59 BST
  • 4 min read
Erling Haaland, Real Madrid
© IMAGO

Real Madrid have reportedly been “in touch” with Erling Haaland’s representatives as they look to finalise a deal for the Manchester City superstar next year.

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Los Blancos have earmarked Haaland as one of their priority transfer targets for 2026 and reports in Spain speculate that Vinicius Junior may be sold to Saudi Arabia in order to fund a move for the Norway striker.

Current ETV
Player image Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City logo

Man City

Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland

F (C)

Man City

Man City

€151.4M

ETV Range

€136.3M - €166.6M

Vinicius, 25, has less than two years remaining on his current contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, and X account IndyKaila claims that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are set to submit a world record offer of €345 million next summer as they look to acquire his signature.

While the Brazilian has established himself as a key member of Xabi Alonso’s preferred starting XI in recent weeks, The Transfers Podcast understands that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is willing to offload Vinicius due to his current wage demands.

The 25-year-old could therefore be set to depart Los Blancos next year, and Haaland has been widely tipped to replace him in a blockbuster move.

Vinicius Jr could leave Real Madrid in 2026
© IMAGO - Vinicius Jr could leave Real Madrid in 2026

Erling Haaland to Real Madrid?

CaughtOffside claim that Real Madrid have now contacted Haaland’s camp in order to gauge the likelihood of a transfer in 2026.

The sale of Vinicius could fund a move for the Norway international, however Man City have no intention to sanction a departure and with his current contract not due to expire until 2034, Pep Guardiola’s side have little incentive to send Haaland to Madrid.

However, Real Madrid are reportedly unlikely to drop their interest in Haaland and they will continue to pursue a deal if Vinicius departs.

The 25-year-old, who is currently the second-most valuable player in world football at €151.4m, has scored 21 goals and provided three assists in just 12 matches for club and country so far this season, and he is regarded as Real Madrid’s first-choice option to replace Vinicius in 2026.

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