Manchester City are ready to offer Erling Haaland a bumper new deal and make him the Premier League's top earner to fend off any Real Madrid interest.
The forward has enjoyed a sensational opening season in England and could break more records before the campaign ends. City captured the Norwegian back in the summer and stuck him on a contract until 2027 - but now want to extend that amid rumours of an exit.
Haaland currently earns £375,000-a-week at the Etihad, the same as team-mate Kevin De Bruyne, but City are ready to up that to £500,000-a-week and add another 12 months to his deal, reports The Sun. Sources close to the player maintain he is entirely happy in Manchester.
That hasn't stopped the rumour mill going however with Los Blancos keen on the striker, who has scored 42 times this season. Madrid are thought to have a plan to sign Haaland and the player's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has done little to quash the speculation.
She said: "There is the Premier League, and there is Real Madrid. Real Madrid has something of its own that makes it the dreamland for the players. Madrid keeps this magic going. They don't have the league competition every week, but they do have the Champions League.”
Haaland originally insisted on having a release clause in his deal at the Etihad, which would've made him far more attainable. It is now understood however, after Pep Guardiola extended his own contract, that such a clause doesn't exist for the Norwegian now.
The forward has already scored six hat-tricks this season with his latest treble coming against Burnley in the FA Cup. Earlier this season Guardiola said: "At his age, no-one can compete with him, no-one. The numbers speak for themselves. Inside, in the locker room and on the pitch we see things that are not in the stats that make us feel happy to have him here."
City could yet move for Jude Bellingham this summer, whose Borussia Dortmund future is unclear. Several of Europe's heavyweights are circling and the chance to team back up with Haaland could put Guardiola's side in pole position to add the Englishman.
Madrid too have been linked with the midfielder, as well as Haaland. However their main focus is more likely to be on adding Kylian Mbappe in the coming years. Los Blancos have seen several offers rejected, but the Frenchman is expected to eventually leave Paris.
