Real Madrid president Florentino Perez led the club's Operation Saving Face over Erling Haaland last week, declaring that not only would the striker fail to get in their team at the moment but they would be activating his release clause in 2024 anyway.
The mission had some success, getting the message across in Spanish media that losing out on Haaland to Manchester City this summer was in fact better for their masterplan. With such a spin, Pep Guardiola is already helpless to stop a superstar he has only just signed from making a swift exit in two years time and the natural order of big clubs is restored.
In reality, things are different - even if the outstanding form of Karim Benzema and expected signing of Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid did play a part in dissuading Haaland from a move to La Liga for now. Whereas City is effectively set up for a No.9 to feast, the path to glory at the Bernabeu appeared less clear.
