Transfer: Michael Owen names player blocking Haaland from joining Real Madrid
Michael Owen: Real Madrid Must Sell Mbappé to Sign Haaland
Former Real Madrid player Michael Owen has stated that the Spanish club will need to offload Kylian Mbappé if they wish to pursue a transfer for Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.
Haaland, a prominent figure in global football, has been frequently linked to a move to the Santiago Bernabéu. Owen discussed this potential transfer in an interview with Goal.com, noting that the presence of Mbappé complicates such a deal.
Owen highlighted that both players occupy similar positions on the field, making it challenging for them to coexist. He cautioned that merely assembling star players does not guarantee success, referencing historical examples.
“As long as they have Mbappé, I cannot envision them investing that amount,” Owen said. “There are already doubts about whether Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé can function together since Mbappé tends to favor the left side. This situation is already under scrutiny. If it were Mbappé and Haaland, how would they accommodate both? Would they position Mbappé on the left?”
He emphasized, “In my opinion, it has to be one or the other. I do not believe it is feasible to have two of the arguably best center-forwards in the world, Mbappé and Haaland, in the same squad. Considering the financial implications and the challenge of making it work, it would necessitate Mbappé’s departure for that to occur, I would assume.”
Owen also recalled Real Madrid’s previous attempts to adopt a “Galactico” approach, suggesting that simply gathering elite players is not necessarily the answer.
Haaland was previously linked with a transfer to Real Madrid during his time at Borussia Dortmund but ultimately signed with Manchester City in 2022. Despite his ten-year contract with City, speculation about a potential move to the Bernabéu continues.
Mbappé, who fantasized about joining Real Madrid before signing with the club as a free agent in the summer of 2024, has scored 86 goals in 103 appearances but has yet to secure any major trophies with the team.
Real Madrid also boasts notable players such as Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior, and this summer spent over €140 million on Yan Diomande. As such, the club may be hesitant to invest further in another attacking player like Haaland in upcoming transfer windows.
