BREAKING NEWS! President Florentino Pérez has approved Arda Güler’s proposal to sign Erling Haaland as a replacement for Vinicius Jr. Manchester City are reportedly willing to negotiate if Real Madrid meet the €350 million offer.
Real Madrid has shaken up the transfer market with news that promises to change the course of European football. According to sources close to the club, president Florentino Pérez has given the green light to a bold proposal presented by young Turkish talent Arda Güler to bring Norwegian striker Erling Haaland to the Santiago Bernabéu as a potential replacement for Vinicius Jr. The deal, which could reach €350 million, has put Manchester City on alert, as the club is reportedly willing to negotiate if Real Madrid meets that astronomical fee. This move, if completed, would be one of the most expensive transfers in history and would mark a new chapter in Pérez’s ambitious strategy to keep Real Madrid at the top of world football.
The idea of signing Haaland comes amid uncertainty over the future of Vinicius Jr., whose contract with Real Madrid runs until 2027, but negotiations for a renewal have encountered obstacles. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Vinicius is demanding a salary of between €20 and €30 million per year, exceeding the €15 million earned by Kylian Mbappé, something the club is unwilling to concede in order to maintain its salary structure. Furthermore, interest from the Saudi Pro League, with offers that could reach €350 million for the transfer and a salary of up to €1 billion on a five-year contract, has led Real Madrid to consider the possibility of selling Vinicius this summer to avoid a cheaper transfer or even a free transfer in 2026 or 2027.
In this scenario, Arda Güler, who has earned Xabi Alonso’s trust with outstanding performances in the 2024-25 season, has reportedly proposed Haaland as the ideal replacement. The young 20-year-old Turkish midfielder has stood out for his vision and ability to connect with forwards, and sees Haaland as a key player to boost Madrid’s attack alongside Mbappé. Haaland, 24, is a goal machine: since arriving at Manchester City in 2022, he has scored 111 goals in 126 games, according to Transfermarkt data, leading the team to two Premier League titles and a Champions League in 2023. His impact on the pitch has made him a dream target for Florentino Pérez, who had already shown interest in the Norwegian prior to his move to City.
However, the path to signing Haaland will not be easy. Manchester City, despite facing an investigation into potential financial fair play violations, renewed the striker’s contract until 2034, according to El País on January 17, 2025. This new contract eliminated the previous buyout clauses, which were around €150-200 million, meaning any negotiations will require a record offer. Sources at The Athletic indicate that City would be willing to come to the table if Real Madrid presents a €350 million proposal, a figure that would surpass Neymar’s transfer to PSG in 2017. Furthermore, the future of Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires in 2026 with an option for a further year, could influence Haaland’s decision, as the Norwegian has expressed his admiration for the Catalan manager.
Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland is not new. In 2022, before his arrival at City, the club was close to signing him, but Pérez prioritized signing Mbappé. Now, with Güler driving the deal and Pérez’s backing, Real Madrid seems determined to break the market. The possible departure of Vinicius, a pillar of the team with his speed and dribbling, has sparked debate among fans, but Haaland’s arrival could form a lethal trio with Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, consolidating Real Madrid as favorites in La Liga and the Champions League in 2025-26.
As the summer transfer window approaches, with the opening of the season in July 2025, negotiations between Real Madrid and Manchester City promise to be intense. Güler’s proposal, supported by Pérez, reflects the club’s ambition to continue dominating world football. If the transfer goes through, Haaland could become the new Bernabéu icon, ushering in an era of goals and titles. For now, the football world awaits Florentino Pérez’s next move with bated breath
