Transfer Talk: Real launch Operation Haaland with staggering £212m kitty

Real Madrid believe they can prise Erling Haaland away from Manchester City with a world-record £212million bid in 2024.

The Norwegian hitman has taken the Premier League by storm with 28 goals and five assists in just 26 top-flight outings since moving to the Etihad last summer.

And according to reports in Spain, Los Blancos are confident he has a release clause that will be activated at the end of next season and will launch what has been dubbed Operation Haaland.

It is reported that Haaland, 22, would be available for between £192m and £212m with Bernabeu chiefs adamant money is no obstacle when pursuing one of Europe's biggest talents.

Real have been desperate to replace 35-year-old striker Karim Benzema and have switched their focus to the Leeds-born ace after failing twice to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain.

There have been no official reports confirming that there is a release clause in Haaland's contract, although it would mirror deals the prolific goalscorer had at FC Salzburg and Borussia Dortmund.

The fee could potentially eclipse Neymar's world-record £200m transfer from Barcelona to PSG in 2017.

Haaland is missing the international break having picked up a groin injury after scoring a hat-trick to help his side dispatch Championship leaders Burnley 6-0 in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Pep Guardiola's outfit are fighting for a treble with the Premier League and Champions League titles also up for grabs and will hope to have their 42-goal top scorer back soon.

In other news

PSG are lining up AC Milan sensation Rafael Leao as a potential replacement for Lionel Messi, according to reports in Italy.

90min claim Manchester City, Newcastle and Chelsea are all monitoring Juventus starlet Samuel Iling-Junior.

Arsenal could rival Leeds for Barca youngster Ilias Akhomach with the winger set to leave when his contract expires this summer, report Sport.