Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions for the past two seasons, are planning to protect Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Real Madrid's ambitions.
For this, the Citizens want to give Haaland a huge salary, making him the highest-paid player in the English Premier League, according to the British newspaper "The Sun".
Manchester City management is due to sit down with Haaland in the coming period, to negotiate giving the Norwegian a weekly salary of up to £500,<>.
Man City set to make Erling Haaland Prem's top earner to kill off Real Madrid transfer interest https://t.co/wyz8r92VRF pic.twitter.com/skzeJq7MNl
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) March 26, 2023
Haaland is currently paid £375,<> a week, the highest wage in the Premier League and City, on par with fellow Belgian Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea.
Haaland has a contract with the English team that runs until June 30, 2027, but the management plans to extend the contract for another 12 months.
The Citizens are keen to reward Haaland, who has been performing in an amazing way in his first year at the Etihad Stadium, where he has so far scored 42 goals in 37 games in all competitions, in order to close the door to any attempt by Real Madrid to pounce on the player.
The agent of the Brazilian player Rafaela Pimenta had previously talked about the possibility of her client moving to Real Madrid, considering that the "royal" club is the "dream" step for all players.
The Sun indicated that Real Madrid have a plan to sign Haaland, although sources close to the player confirmed that he is happy in Manchester.
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Manchester City aim to send a message to all those who want Haaland: "Hands off him."
Manchester City had outperformed Real Madrid in the race to acquire the player last summer, after the English club paid the penalty clause in Haaland's contract for his former team Borussia Dortmund.
The Sun confirms that the Norwegian's market value has increased fourfold since then, while Transfermarkt valued Haaland's market value at 4 million euros.
Haaland is 8 goals away from reaching his 50th goal this season 2022-2023, as well as scoring 6 hat-tricks, the last of which was against Burnley in the FA Cup, and a stunning quintet against Leipzig in the second leg of the Champions League final.
Manchester City dream that Haaland will play a crucial role in convincing England's Jude Bellingham, his former Borussia Dortmund team-mate, to sign for the Etihad Stadium next summer.