Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is more likely to join Real Madrid than Premier League giants Liverpool, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told Marca.
If you thought this summer was dramatic – with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo changing clubs within two weeks of each other – then strap yourselves in and prepare for a blockbuster 2022.
Speculation surrounding the future of Kylian Mbappe has already gone into overdrive; the Paris Saint-Germain star rejecting no less than six contract offers from the Ligue 1 champions amid some very public interest from Real Madrid (Goal).
Mbappe, however, is not the only free-scoring superstar keeping Florentino Perez awake at night.
It is no secret that Haaland has a £68 million release clause in his contract – one that will become active next summer – with arguably the most feared number nine in European football seemingly destined to follow Jadon Sancho out of the esteemed footballing finishing school that is Borussia Dortmund.
Will Erling Haaland join Real Madrid or Liverpool?
“With Lewandowski, you have the best centre-forward in the world. Haaland is the second best,” said Rummenigge, the former Bayern Munich chairman and two-time Bundesliga champion.
“Haaland is an investment. I don’t think he will go to Liverpool. With Haaland, I wouldn’t rule out Real either.
“Maybe they’ll open the box a bit more in the summer and possibly get Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.”
Liverpool bought just one new player during the most recent transfer window – much to the frustration of many supporters – landing Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.
There are two ways of looking at this.
Are the Fenway Sports Group looking to keep their powder dry, putting the days of mega-money signings behind them in the post-COVID era? Or are they merely saving up funds for a mega-star, marquee signing a la Haaland, Dusan Vlahovic or potentially even Mbappe?
The more demanding members of a vociferous Anfield fanbase will be hoping it is the latter.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
