Years ago, many fans thought Real Madrid would be bringing in Erling Haaland on an affordable release clause from friend club Borussia Dortmund, even believing that such a clause existed because of the relationship between Real and Dortmund, with Haaland facilitating his eventual move to the Merengues by using BVB as the perfect stepping stone.
Instead, Florentino Perez went all in on Kylian Mbappe, coming up empty handed in 2022 while Haaland joined the club of his father, Manchester City. Real Madrid and Man City would share Champions Leagues apiece in that period, and Mbappe would eventually make his, now failing, move to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2024.
Now, all of a sudden, the old Haaland rumors have been revived, because during the presidential race between Florentino Perez and Enrique Riquelme, the latter challenger invoked Haaland to make a claim for votes. After telling everyone that in addition to a Spanish superstar, Rodri, he had a player from outside Spain lined up as a guaranteed signing if he wins, Riquelme waved around not only the jersey of Haaland in Madrid colors but also a signed contract.
The Erling Haaland rumors just got legs
It seemed incredulous, but now Diario AS is reporting, via the Madrid Zone, that the long-rumored release clause midway through Haaland's contract with Manchester City does indeed exist. They even confirm that Erling Haaland, as always, still wants to join Real Madrid as his ultimate destination.
Now all of a sudden, Enrique Riquelme's little stunt that appeared to be nothing more than pandering for votes and publicity does not seem so far fetched. It really could be possible that Riquelme found Haaland's release clause, activated it, and then sealed a deal unbeknownest to Manchester City.
That still sounds pretty far out, but if Riquelme needed a moment like Florentino Perez's guarantee a quarter of a century ago to sign Luis Figo from Barcelona and win the election, then nabbing the world's best pure goal scorer and the record breaker for Premier League goals in a season from Champions League rivals Manchester City would be the way to do it.
And nobody would be surprised in the least if Haaland dreamed of Madrid. Though at that time in 2021/22, fans were told that Haaland and Kylian Mbappe could co-exist, if Riquelme's project succeeds and Haaland comes in to the team, then it would seem almost impossible for Mbappe to be a part of that project, too.
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