Online Reporter
REAL MADRID are keeping tabs on Erling Haaland as Manchester City prepare for the post-Pep era.
The LaLiga giants will pounce on any sign Haaland could see his future away from the Etihad following the departure of Pep Guardiola.
Sources say the 38-goal hitman was in a downbeat mood even before City’s Prem title bid failed and rumours of Guardiola’s exit became reality.
And reports in Spain claim a move to the Bernabeu is on the agenda, with Real seeking to bounce back after a trophyless season.
City will resist any move for Haaland, 25, who signed a contract extension in January 2025, which committed him to the club until 2034.
But Real believe he is unsettled, despite winning a domestic cup double and being on course to claim his third Golden Boot in four seasons.
Haaland had 27 Prem goals, five more than his nearest rival, Brentford’s Igor Thiago, going into yesterday’s season finale against Aston Villa.
Since joining the Etihad outfit from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has scored 162 goals in 198 games.
Xabi Alonso left Real in January, and replacement Alvaro Arbeloa has confirmed he is leaving, with Jose Mourinho tipped to return.
Any move for Haaland depends on the future of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, who were said to have fallen out with Alonso.
The Spanish coach has since announced he is joining Chelsea. The futures of Mbappe and Vinicius in the Spanish capital remain under the spotlight. Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho has sparked fresh transfer speculation after being spotted in Berlin for the DFB-Pokal final, with the incoming Real Madrid boss reportedly keeping a close eye on Bayern Munich star Michael Olise.
However, the Portuguese tactician has already been met with a firm hands-off warning from the German giants before he has even officially taken the reins at the Bernabeu.
According to Sky Sports, Mourinho was seen leaving the Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin on Saturday afternoon, disguised behind a blue cap and a casual shirt as he made his way to the Olympiastadion.
The 63-year-old was in the German capital to witness the DFB-Pokal final between Bayern Munich and Stuttgart, a visit that has immediately fuelled talk regarding his summer transfer plans as he prepares to take over as Real Madrid boss.
The legendary manager was accompanied by Hendrik Schauerte of the Gestifute agency, which is headed by Jorge Mendes. With Mourinho’s return to Los Blancos widely expected to be made official in the coming days, his presence in the VIP stands suggests that the groundwork for his squad overhaul in Spain is already well underway.
It is no secret that Olise has emerged as one of the most coveted players in European football, and reports suggest that Mourinho is a keen admirer of the French winger. Having impressed since his move to the Bundesliga, Olise has been identified as a target who could add further flair to the Madrid attack next season.
Mourinho was a guest of Stuttgart’s sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth, but his attention was firmly fixed on the pitch. While the deal to take “The Special One” back to the Bernabeu is still being finalised behind the scenes, his scouting mission in Berlin indicates that Olise is a name high on his shortlist.
Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness was quick to address the rumours surrounding Mourinho’s interest. Speaking directly about the prospect of losing Olise to the Spanish giants, the 74-year-old club legend made it clear that any attempts to lure the player away from the Allianz Arena would be futile.
Hoeness issued a stinging rebuff to Mourinho’s scouting mission. “He can cast five eyes on Olise; he won’t get him,” the Bayern honorary president declared. “He remains unsellable. I hope I don’t run into him, because he could have saved himself the trip from Madrid.”
Olise has been named the Bundesliga Player of the Season for the current campaign. Heading into the tie against Stuttgart, the winger has racked up 52 appearances for Bayern in all competitions this season, boasting a remarkable return of 22 goals and 30 assists. – Sun/Goal
