Real Madrid considering shock swoop for Manchester City talisman amid Vinicius uncertainty

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Real Madrid are considering a blockbuster move for Erling Haaland next summer if they decide to part ways with Vinicius Junior. The Madrid winger dominated headlines when he reacted angrily to being substituted in Madrid’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona last Sunday – reportedly threatening to leave the club.

Though he has since issued an apology, Sport has reported that his contract situation at the club remains a stumbling block to his long term future. The player is reportedly seeking much improved terms to take his deal beyond the current 2027 expiry, and hopes to draw level with the club’s highest earner Kylian Mbappe.

With rumours spiraling of lucrative offers for Vinicius from Saudi Pro League clubs, Madrid could consider a mega transfer reshuffle. Erling Haaland remains as the name on top their potential future list, with the 25-year-old a long term target of Los Blancos.

Haaland has scored 96 Premier League goals in just 106 appearances, establishing himself as one of the world’s best No.9s. He has already scored 11 goals in just nine Premier League games so far this season.

Any move for Haaland would be extremely difficult for Madrid or any interested party. In January of 2025 the player signed a record nine-and-a-half-year contract extension to keep him in Manchester until 2034. The deal removed all release clauses that were put in place in his original deal, and is reportedly one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history.

Given the player’s age and ability, his transfer fee would likely surpass the current world record of £200m spent by PSG to acquire Neymar from Barcelona in 2017. That figure is around the sum mentioned by rumours linking Vinicius Junior with a move to Saudi Arabia next summer, which Sport added could bode well for Madrid’s pursuit of Haaland.

The player has reportedly not closed the door to a future move to the Bernabeu despite his lucrative new deal, but would take quite some convicting.

Nadji is a football writer with over 10 years of experience covering the Premier League. His work has been featured on Football Fancast, Arsenal-Mania, and Arsenal.com, where he has built a reputation for delivering sharp analysis, engaging storytelling, and in-depth coverage of the game.