Real Madrid have been locked in a difficult transfer battle with Manchester City for the signature of Galactico Erling Haaland, who, along with the incoming Kylian Mbappe, is the next big thing in world football. In fact, he has already arrived as a marketable, effective superstar capable of scoring 30 goals in a season and carrying a team to victory.
At one point, Los Blancos looked like the favorites for Haaland, but a lot has changed since then. Now, there is pessimism from the Merengue club regarding their chances of signing the Borussia Dortmund superstar. Manchester City are in the driver’s seat.
And after Sunday night’s debacle against Barcelona, who were once in the Erling Haaland transfer race, I have to seriously wonder if the Norwegian No. 9 has any reason to consider Los Blancos’ offer on par with City.
Let’s briefly mention the money, because it will play only a minor role – but nevertheless, surely some sort of a role – in Haaland’s tough transfer decision. City are offering more money. Not a whole lot more. But more. We can be assured of that.
Manchester City have a better project than Real Madrid right now
Where the real concern is now, though, lies in the sporting project. Haaland’s decision will be mostly based on the team that can provide him with the best chance of winning collective and individual honors. He wants to go to a place where he can succeed personally and professionally.
Obviously, he can do that at Real Madrid. Even reeling after a 4-0 loss to Barcelona, Los Blancos still have a great sporting project, spearheaded by promising young players like Vinicius Jr., Fede Valverde, Eder Militao, presumably Mbappe, and more. And there are great veterans like Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema, and Toni Kroos.
However, Manchester City have a much better manager in Pep Guardiola than Carlo Ancelotti. They have more depth. More money. More resources and willingness to make every little upgrade necessary to win at all costs. You can name a laundry list of world-class players there at every position. Unlike Dani Carvajal at right back or the disaster zone on the right wing, City do not have major weaknesses in their XI this season.
Real Madrid have been slow to make depth signings on the transfer market. They have players in their squad who have important roles but do not produce. There are serious weaknesses here. And worst of all, they do not have the manager. There is nobody who assures excellence for the season in the manager’s seat. Certainly not in the way Guardiola does.
Want your voice heard? Join the The Real Champs team!
It would not be a bad decision at all for Haaland to pick Madrid. But after watching the way they were dismantled by Barcelona in El Clasico, how can Haaland feel as confident in them as he would in City? Every little event matters in a tight transfer race like this, and I cannot help but feel that with this Clasico defeat, Real Madrid also sealed a defeat in the battle for Haaland. He may feel that in the near future, City give him the best offer, while Real will be his best bet as a sporting project in three years. Once they get their ideal manager and sort all their other issues out.