Real Madrid become the favourites to sign Erling Haaland this summer

In what will come as a huge blow for Barcelona, Real Madrid have become the frontrunners to secure the signing of Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.

The 21-year-old is one of the most in-demand players in the transfer market currently and is being courted by Barcelona, Real Madrid along with several other top clubs across Europe.

Barça had made the signing of the Norwegian international a top priority for the summer as Joan Laporta and Xavi Hernandez sought to bring in a marquee player to lead the team into a new era. Meetings had been held with his agent, Mino Raiola, to work out a move.

However, a fresh report from SPORT is now stating that Real Madrid have taken a major step towards signing the former RB Salzburg hitman.

It has been claimed that the Real Madrid representatives met up with Raiola’s lawyer Rafaela Pimenta and Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge, in Monaco, where they had travelled to initiate talks for Aurelien Tchouameni’s signing.

During the meeting, the Spanish capital outfit reached an agreement in principle that would block other interested clubs, such as Barcelona, from negotiating with Haaland, making Los Blancos the favourites for his signing.

Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid have a good relationship, with the former already aware of the Spanish club’s interest in him. A transfer would likely cost around €75 million in fees, although Los Blancos could drive it down by offering Luka Jovic in exchange.

A move will now depend on Haaland’s willingness to make the jump at the end of the season. Real Madrid still have Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior on their books and gunning for the signing of Kylian Mbappe as well.

So, it remains to be seen how they plan to fit in all these attackers and whether their pursuit of Mbappe prompts Haaland to decide against a jump to the Bernabeu.