Real Madrid have made Manchester City's Erling Haaland their primary transfer target if Vinicius Junior accepts the eyewatering offers made by Saudi Arabia, a report has claimed.
City's unrelenting No.9 has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid since establishing himself as the ultimate goalscorer in world football. Even in an injury-riddled campaign for a historically poor iteration of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, the 24-year-old has racked up 30 goals.
Madrid - and anyone else with a passing interest in the sport - are well aware of Haaland's prolific reputation. The Spanish giants were one of several clubs who tried to snap up the Norway international before he joined City in 2023 and could go back into the market for Haaland this summer, according to Sky Sport Germany.
Haaland may be described as Madrid's "absolute top target", but there are several steps before this blockbuster move can even begin to get underway.
The report claims that Haaland is viewed solely as a replacement for Vinicius in the event that the Brazilian moves to the Saudi Pro League. The Kingdom's transfer strategy has shifted away from ageing big names - which saw the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema move east in 2023 - to young talents on the rise, such as Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby.
Vinicius ticks both boxes, as a player already well established as one of the best on the planet and just nine days older than Haaland.
The well-funded backers of the expanding Saudi Pro League are reportedly prepared to shatter every known transfer record to secure Vinicius' services. The Brazilian is said to have been offered 1bn (�862m) in wages thickly spread over a five-year contract, with Madrid entitled to a 300m (�259m) transfer fee.
Quite how plausible it is remains to be seen. Reporting in recent days has suggested that contact between Saudi officials and the Vinicius camp has gone dry since the end of 2024, with Madrid keen to secure the player's long-term future with a new contract.
Replacing Haaland with Vinicius would theoretically offer Madrid more attacking balance - Mbappe could return to his favoured position out on the left flank while the dream recruit spears through the middle of the pitch - but the practicality of a move is less straightforward.
City recently tied Haaland down to a new contract which stretches until 2034. Pep Guaridola's side haven't lived up to their lofty standards this season but there has been little talk of unrest emerging from their supreme striker, who is billed as the future for City's rebuild.
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