Real Madrid have included Manchester City stars Erling Haaland and João Cancelo in their target list.
‘Operation Manchester City’ is written in bold on the front page of today’s AS, along with when the La Liga winners plan to make an approach for the duo.
Within the report, it’s claimed Los Blancos like the two Manchester City players ‘a lot’. The defender spent four years at Valencia between 2014 and 2018 and during his time with them, he had drawn attention from Real Madrid.
The Portugal international mainly operates as a right-back but can also be used on the left side of the defence, where he has excelled for the English champions this campaign.
Cancelo is ‘already aware’ of the interest shown by the Champions League winners and would ‘gladly accept signing’ for them. Real are looking to take the 28-year-old after this season, in an operation with a maximum cost of €40-45m.
Haaland, meanwhile, decided against joining the Madrid club in the last window since the striker didn’t want to compete with Karim Benzema at the Bernabéu. He wanted a starting spot and therefore made a switch to Manchester City.
Despite this, AS state the Norway international’s ‘dream’ to join Real is still intact. It’s stated the 22-year-old has included a €180m release clause in his deal at the Etihad, which will come into effect in 2024.
That is when the Spanish giants will start the ‘Signing of Haaland’ operation.
In two years, Guardiola’s man can establish himself at Manchester City and be fully prepared to replace the Frenchman in Madrid.
Real are already planning for the future and have the two City stars in their shortlist. They are planning to sign Cancelo in 2023 and Haaland in 2024.
