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The transfer saga of Erling Haaland has taken a fresh twist with Real Madrid 'withdrawing any interest' in signing the superstar forward.
Haaland has been the subject of intense transfer speculation ahead of the player's release clause coming into place at the end of the season.
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His £68 million release clause becomes active in the summer, with the 21-year-old expected to leave Borussia Dortmund for England or Spain.
But it appears Barcelona are now the only viable option for him in La Liga, with reports claiming 'Los Blancos' have 'withdrawn any interest' in acquiring the Norway international.
That's according to Spanish outlet SPORT who claim the club have ended their pursuit of Haaland to fully focus on Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, who, of course, will be a free agent at the end of the season.
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Manchester City remain in the hunt for Haaland's signature, with Pep Guardiola thought to be keen on recruiting a No.9 in the summer.
Manchester United have reportedly kept an eye on his contract situation, not to mention Bayern Munich who could make a move depending on the future of Robert Lewandowski.
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Speaking last month, Haaland expressed his frustration at Dortmund over his deal amid intense interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
"The last six months I have chosen not to say anything out of respect for Dortmund, but now the club has started to press me into making a decision," he told Jan Aage Fjortoft for Viaplay last month.
"All I want to do is play football. But they press me […] about my future, so that means I have to make a decision soon.”
When asked if he could decide imminently over his future, he added: "That is what they [Dortmund] want. It means things will happen now.
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"They have started to put a lot of pressure on me, and I have to accept that […] so now is the time to get things started."
Topics: Football, Erling Haaland, Real Madrid
Nasir Jabbar