Real Madrid are being tipped to pursue a potential Galatico signing this summer although to do so they must appoint former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. The German coach remains the frontrunner for the job despite constantly downplaying the possibility.
Klopp is currently working as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull and has been out of management since May 2024. He ended a nine-year reign at Anfield where he achieved huge success including ending the Reds' 30-year league title drought.
Madrid are set for an important summer and that's not only because of their need to appoint a permanent manager. They also need to get a rebuild right and it seems they have a Manchester City star in their sights.
Erling Haaland makes Klopp demand to Real Madrid
According to El Nacional, Erling Haaland has indicated that he will seek a move to Madrid if Klopp is appointed at the Estadio Bernabeu. The City striker only signed a new deal with the Premier League giants in January 2025 which doesn't expire until 2034.
Haaland is a dream signing who Florentino Perez is believed to admire and could look to bring to the Spanish capital as soon as this summer. He has put up extraordinary numbers including this season with 29 goals in 37 games across competitions.
The 25-year-old's stance over a Klopp appointment makes sense given he's playing under one of the greatest tacticians in football history. He has starred under Pep Guardiola ever since signing for City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
Madrid would have to replace Alvaro Arbeloa who replaced Xabi Alonso in early January as caretaker manager. There have been indications that the club don't intend to hand him the job on a permanent basis although trophy success might change that come the end of the season.
Klopp called Haaland 'the best striker in the world'
Haaland's interest in playing in a Madrid team managed by Klopp would be shared by the manager himself if he were to take over the club. The German spoke glowingly of the Norweigan back in October 2022 (via talkSPORT):
"Obviously when you're playing against for sure the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn't get many balls."
Haaland has been a revelation at City, posting 153 goals in 183 games. He was part of the Guardiola side that won the treble and that included winning the Champions League.
There's no sign of the former Dortmund frontman wanting out of the Etihad but Guardiola's future is uncertain. Speculation is growing over the Spaniard potentially ending his spell with the Cityzens at the end of the season.