Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona – Who is leading the chase for Erling Haaland this summer?

With Borussia Dortmund suffering a 2-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend, it appears they’re in a real battle to keep hold of Erling Haaland this summer.

With it heavily reported over the past week that without European football it will be next to impossible to tempt the Norweigan superstar to extend his stay in rural Germany, teams from across Europe have been put on a red alert.

Tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner and only continuing to break a string of records since moving to Germany, the 20-year-old has already recorded 39 goals in 40 appearances for club and country this season.

With Haaland’s agent Mino Raiola already holding meetings across Europe over the past few days, we have taken a look at the three teams who appear to be leading the chase.

Manchester City – 2/1 with Betfair

With Borussia Dortmund planning for their Champions League showdown against Manchester City on Tuesday night, many feel that Haaland’s trip to The Etihad is almost a Premier League audition.

Coming up against Pep Guardiola’s quadruple chasers in midweek, it has been widely reported over the past month that the former Bayern Munich boss is desperate to bring the 20-year-old over to England this summer.

While Guardiola might famously have a frosty relationship with Raiola, the announcement that Sergio Aguero will be ending his decade-long stay in Manchester at the end of the season has only added to the speculation.

With it no secret that The Sky Blues are looking to add striking reinforcements when the window reopens, The Mirror are reporting that Guardiola has made it clear that he wants Haaland to replace City’s departing icon this summer.

With Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, spending three years with City between 2000-2003, Guardiola’s side fancies themselves in pole position and have been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite at 2/1.

Real Madrid – 3/1 with Betfair

With both Haaland’s agent and his father pictured arriving in Madrid on Friday evening, Los Blancos have made it no secret that they are keen on bringing Europe’s budding superstar to the capital this summer.

Still in an uphill battle to reclaim their La Liga crown this season and with a Champions League knockout tie against Liverpool on the cards, many have expected Real Madrid to embark on a squad overhaul at the end of the season.

While Haaland’s €75million release clause doesn’t activate until 2022, it has been reported over the past month that Zinedine Zidane’s side are willing to break the bank on the Dortmund ace this summer.

Although the red-hot Karim Benzema might be enjoying a real purple patch with Los Blancos this season, the Frenchman does turn 34 at the end of the year and many have speculated if he could be heading for the exit.

With Madrid making it clear that they have already identified Haaland as Benzema’s replacement in the capital, Spanish outlet AS have reported over the weekend that the 20-year-old has his heart set on a move to The Bernabéu.

Barcelona – 7/2 with Betfair

Although Barcelona’s finances might have come under real scrutiny over the past months, it appears that the Spanish giants also have their sights set on making a move for Haaland when the window reopens.

With Raiola and Alf-Inge first touching down in Catalonia before heading off for discussions in Madrid on Friday, eye-brows across Europe were raised as to how Ronald Koeman’s side could possibly afford to strike a deal with Dortmund.

However, with Barcelona also still linked with a move for departing Manchester City icon Sergio Aguero, any move for Haaland this summer will depend on who they can move out the exit.

In a real battle to balance their books, it has been reported that Koeman is willing to allow the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho and Miralem Pjanić to leave in an attempt to finance a move for Haaland.