Former Manchester City defender predicts Real Madrid transfer for first-team star

Manchester City icon and former club captain Richard Dunne believes a transfer to Real Madrid for Erling Haaland will come at some stage in the Norwegian’s career.

The 23-year-old has been continuously linked with a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu despite being contracted at the Etihad Stadium until 2027.

Haaland is also understood to be the subject of contract extension talks with Manchester City, as the club look to reward the Norwegian international for an incredible first 18 months in the Premier League.

The striker, who scored 52 goals in 53 matches during last season’s treble-winning campaign, made his first City start since early December on Monday evening, as Pep Guardiola’s side beat Brentford in west London.

Haaland is looking to become a two-time Premier League winner this season, with the Sky Blues having the chance to move to the top of the table with a win over Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Guardiola recently revealed a desire for Haaland to remain at Manchester City for a significant period of time, with the 23-year-old having the potential to smash even more of the top-flights goalscoring records.

However, a former City star believes that is unlikely, and that a highly anticipated move to La Liga could be on the cards.

Speaking in comments relayed DAZN this week, Richard Dunne has predicted that Erling Haaland will be eyeing a future move to Real Madrid, having already achieved ‘everything he can’ with Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

“Erling Haaland will probably want to play for Real Madrid at some time in his career,” Dunne explained.

“I think a lot of players would do. He’s won the treble at Man City and already achieved everything he can, so I believe that he’ll probably stay another two seasons and then we might see him move on.”
 
The 44-year-old continued: “From what I gather, he’s enjoying his time at Man City. I know the reports suggest differently, but he is winning games every week, he’s scoring goals, winning trophies, and he’s got the possibility with that group of players to win the treble again – whether it be this season or next season.

“I don’t see it being an instant worry for the club or for the fans at the moment, but certainly, over the next two or three years, I do think that his wishes would probably be to move on from the club.”

Dunne spent nine years at Manchester City between 2000 and 2009, making 352 appearances after signing for £3.5 million.

The Irishman won the club’s Player of the Year award four times during his career, and also won the English Division One title in 2002.