17 February 2024 , 22:30
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Manchester City's bid to secure Erling Haaland to a new contract has been boosted by Real Madrid's pursuit of Kylian Mbappe.
The Premier League champions are trying to secure the Norwegian goal machine to a new deal that will keep him at the Etihad until 2029 and want to renegotiate the buy-out clause that will kick in at £171million this summer.
Madrid tried to buy Haaland when the striker was weighing up his future at Borussia Dortmund - but the presence of Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu prompted him to give City the go-ahead to trigger his £51million buy-out in the summer of 2022.
News that the La Liga giants have made Mbappe their No 1 target this year won't impress the 23-year-old as he contemplates his options.
There have been suggestions in Spain that Real president Florentino Perez will sign Mbappe this summer and then make a move for Haaland in 2025 when the release clause in his City contract drops to £150million for interested clubs from abroad.
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But that plan would impress neither player. The two striking superstars regard each other as rivals for the Ballon d’Or and believe their chances of being recognised as the best player in the world will take a hit if they share the same dressing room.
Haaland refused to even contemplate joining Paris St Germain when he was looking at his options before signing for City. Last season’s Golden Boot winner does harbour an ambition to wear the famous white shirt.
But he knows he could stay in the Premier League for another three seasons and still not be at the peak of his powers.
Manchester City' are keen to tie down Erling Haaland (Getty Images)Haaland currently earns £375,000-a-week in Manchester but has a package of bonuses that add considerably to that sum.
He cashed in handsomely last season when he scored 52 goals to help City win a Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup Treble.
City are ready to hike Haaland’s basic salary even further but do not want to break a pay structure which sees their players rewarded for success.
Haaland also wants to know about Pep Guardiola's future plans before committing himself. The City boss will have just 12 months left on his contract in the summer.
Etihad bosses hope the 53-year-old will sign an extension that will take him beyond a decade of service at the club. City are chasing another Treble as well as a record-breaking fourth successive title.
But the prospect of leading City into the expanded Club World Cup in the United States in the summer of 2025 is also a tantalising prospect for Guardiola.
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