Real Madrid ready to reactivate ‘Operation Erling Haaland’ to sign Manchester City striker in 2024 – Paper Round

Haaland is the Real deal

Real Madrid are planning their long-term transfer strategy and have made Erling Haaland their priority for 2024. Los Blancos view the Norwegian as the ideal heir to Karim Benzema and are willing to pay a world-record transfer fee to secure his signature. Real Madrid also believe they could poach Kylian Mbappe for free from Paris Saint-Germain as his contract is set to expire in the same summer.

“The club is set to offer an extra year to Karim Benzema, which would take him up to 2024, and they could have the Norwegian lined up as the perfect replacement when Benzema finishes at the club.

“According to AS’ own information, his price tag sits somewhere between €220 and €240 million.

“In Madrid the calculators are out and clicking away regarding the possibility of uniting Haaland, Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. together as Real Madrid’s super-Galactico front three for the new Santiago Bernabeu.”

Tuchel returns to management

Thomas Tuchel is set to return to management with Bayern Munich after the German champions reportedly parted ways with Julian Nagelsmann. Tuchel has been out of work since September after he was sacked by Chelsea following a slow start to the Premier League season. Tottenham Hotspur are said to have held interest in the 49-year-old as Antonio Conte edges closer to an exit, but Bayern decided to move quickly to appoint Tuchel.

“For Bayern, they will sack one of football’s most expensive managers after poaching Nagelsmann for a then world record-breaking £21million compensation fee from RB Leipzig.”

Rashford contract extension on hold

Marcus Rashford has put his contract negotiations with Manchester United on hold until there is further clarity regarding the ownership of the club. The 25-year-old has just over one year remaining on his current deal and is not pushing for a move away. However, the current salary cap at Old Trafford may affect his new deal, so he is holding off to see what he can negotiate once the new owners are confirmed.

“He currently earns £200,000 a week and has been offered that 50 per cent rise to £300,000 in a five-year deal.

“Understandably Rashford’s camp will want to know what the two main prospective new owners Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sir Jim Ratcliffe have to offer when they take charge.”

England keen to keep hold of Balogun

England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley has confirmed that he plans to pick Folarin Balogun for the upcoming European Championships this summer, despite the ongoing question marks over the 21-year-old’s international future. Balogun is eligible for the United States and Nigeria, as well as England, and has not been capped at senior level so has a choice to make.

“Balogun, who has played through the England age groups and has seven Under-21 goals in 13 appearances, is debating his international future and is also eligible for Nigeria.”