Manchester United & Manchester City dealt Haaland blow with striker ‘favouring move to Real Madrid’

Manchester United and Manchester City are unlikely to sign Erling Haaland this summer, with the striker preferring a move to Real Madrid, according to reports.

ESPN claim the Norwegian, who has been linked with moves to both Manchester clubs in recent years, is expected to leave current employers Borussia Dortmund this summer and is keen to join the current Spanish champions.

They also report United’s inability to guarantee Haaland Champions League football next season, and City’s reluctance to match Real’s wage offer of around £30m a year, mean that Haaland’s next destination is likely to be Madrid, where he could be joined this summer by French forward Kylian Mbappe.

The update surrounding Haaland comes after he claimed Dortmund were ‘pushing him to make a decision’ on his future, in a recent interview.

However, Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc told German outlet Kicker that the striker’s comments had ‘surprised us’.

"There is currently no deadline, no deadlines, and there have not even been any discussions,” he added. "But that we want and have to have talks at some point is clear, understandable and only professional."

Manchester United’s striker options

Assuming Haaland is off the table for United, it means they may need to look elsewhere if they’re in the market for a striker this summer.

The Red Devils been repeatedly linked with a move for Argentinian Julian Alvarez, while one or two reports have suggested Chelsea’s Timo Werner could be an option. Meanwhile talkSPORT claimed last month that United were among the numerous clubs keeping tabs on Dusan Vlahovic.

However, reports of United chasing a centre-forward have been thin on the ground, with the Red Devils linked more regularly with midfielders this window.

But striker is an area they may need to address in the summer, with Edinson Cavani’s contract expiring and the former Paris Saint-German man likely to depart at the end of the current campaign.

Anthony Martial’s future also seems destined away from Old Trafford, while this week The Sun reported Cristiano Ronaldo could leave the club this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Mason Greenwood is also an option through the centre, but he’s mainly operated in the wide areas this season.

Manchester City’s striker options

City have been linked with Haaland throughout the campaign, after last summer’s pursuit of Harry Kane ended with the England captain remaining at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Premier League champions could return for Kane in the summer, although Vlahovic is the name which has been thrown up most often as a City target, with Robert Lewandowski and Patrick Schick also rumoured to be among those under consideration.

There is also the possibility that Pep Guardiola doesn’t bring in a striker this summer. The Catalan has played the majority of this season and last without a recognised No.9 and they’ve performed phenomenally well without one.

The Blues’ squad doesn’t currently have a striker, with Gabriel Jesus the closest they have to a natural central-forward, although he tends to play out wide.