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Yesterday — 29 October 2025Main stream

Report: Real Madrid place 25-year-old Premier League hitman at the top of their shortlist

29 October 2025 at 14:40

Real Madrid are weighing a blockbuster move for Erling Haaland, with the Manchester City striker reportedly at the top of their shortlist if the club decide to reshape their forward line and move on from Vinícius Júnior.

As reported by Sport, Madrid have been tracking the 25-year-old Norwegian as a potential centrepiece for their next attacking cycle.

Intriguingly, Haaland and his representatives are said not to have closed the door on a future switch to the Bernabéu, despite the fact he recently signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract at the Etihad running to 2034.

Erling Haaland would transform Real Madrid

Haaland is an out-and-out No.9 who guarantees goals at a historic rate. His penalty-box instincts, aerial dominance, and explosive power would give Los Blancos a true reference point through the middle.

Although they already have Kylian Mbappe in their team who has lead the attack exceptionally well this season, that hasn’t stopped them from chasing the Man City star.

For a club that measures seasons in Champions League runs and La Liga titles, securing a striker of Haaland’s pedigree would be a statement of both sporting ambition and financial might.

The potential move is tied, in part, to uncertainty around Vinícius Júnior’s future. While he remains one of the most dangerous wide forwards in world football, ongoing speculation about his role and long-term fit has prompted Madrid to game-plan different configurations for the front three.

Should circumstances push the club toward a reset out wide, pivoting to a central, high-scoring striker like Haaland becomes an attractive counterbalance.

Real Madrid would have to make a record offer for Haaland

Erling Haaland celebrates a goal for Manchester City
Erling Haaland celebrates a goal for Manchester City (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

In such a scenario, Madrid could rebuild around a traditional axis, elite No.9 supported by high-work-rate wide players and midfield runners.

There are, of course, formidable hurdles. Man City are under no pressure to sell a generational forward tied to an exceptionally long contract.

The transfer fee, wage package, and sporting guarantees required to tempt both club and player would likely push the boundaries of even Madrid’s resources.

Madrid see a once-in-a-generation finisher who fits their eternal mandate to collect the game’s brightest stars. City hold the leverage of a long contract and a player central to their project.

Real Madrid willing to pay €100m to win race for Arsenal, Chelsea & Man Utd transfer target

The post Report: Real Madrid place 25-year-old Premier League hitman at the top of their shortlist appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Real Madrid star considering SHOCK January exit after broken relationship with Xabi Alonso

29 October 2025 at 13:32

Vinícius Júnior is weighing up a future away from Real Madrid, according to Diario AS.

The 25-year-old winger, long viewed as a cornerstone of Madrid’s attack, has endured a turbulent start to the season under Xabi Alonso, and sources indicate he could even consider a January exit if his status does not improve.

Reports add that Vinícius was left out of the starting XI three times and has been substituted regularly in recent weeks, culminating in a flashpoint during El Clásico.

Vinícius & Alonso are not getting along in Madrid

Relations between player and Alonso have broken after the Brazilian reacted angrily to being taken off in Madrid’s 2-1 win over Barcelona, with face-to-face talks expected to follow.

Having already drawn Saudi interest in the summer, the forward suddenly looks unsettled in Madrid.

Once the electric driver of Madrid’s left flank, he now finds himself negotiating unfamiliar territory.

Under the leadership of Alonso, the player’s playing time has decreased. While Vinícius remains a high-usage, high-impact wide forward, capable of breaking games open with acceleration and 1v1 flair, the current setup has occasionally prioritised structural control over pure transition.

Can Real Madrid deal with the loss of Vinícius?

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

El Clásico proved a tipping point. Being withdrawn in a showcase fixture is never simple, tempers ran high, and the optics of visible frustration fuelled talk of a rift.

This is an elite attacker under long-term contract, immensely popular with supporters and commercially significant. Losing him would be a massive blow, whichever way you look at it.

Any January move would require a complex negotiation, not least because Madrid would be reluctant sellers without a succession plan. Yet the player’s leverage rises if minutes stay sporadic and the atmosphere remains strained.

Report: Liverpool set to raid European giants for €70m-rated star on Real Madrid radar 

The post Real Madrid star considering SHOCK January exit after broken relationship with Xabi Alonso appeared first on CaughtOffside.

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