Real Madrid Plan Sensational Erling Haaland and Jurgen Klopp Swoop

Florentino Perez has his sights set on Jurgen Klopp replacing Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid manager, and he wants to kick off the German’s reign by swooping for a Premier League superstar. Klopp is the frontrunner to replace Alonso on a permanent basis after Los Blancos made the shock decision to part ways with the Spaniard on Monday (January 12th).

Alonso left after Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final, but there have since been claims of trouble behind the scenes. Klopp immediately responded to rumours of a possible return to management at the La Liga giants, highlighting the issues at the club.

Klopp has been working as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull since leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 season. But he could be granted the opportunity to take over at the Estadio Bernabeu and Perez seems to have a bargaining chip up his sleeve.

Real Madrid Eyeing Blockbuster Signing For Klopp

Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg (via Madrid Xtra) reports that Perez is seriously considering moving for Klopp, who has yet to manage in La Liga. The 58-year-old fits the profile of a coach that Los Merengues are targeting, given his track record of success guiding a team out of a difficult situation.

Klopp led Liverpool to every major trophy on offer during a nine-year reign at Anfield, including the Premier League title. He ended the Reds’ 30-year league drought while also guiding the Merseysiders to Champions League glory.

The German seemingly isn’t too convinced to replace Alonso as things stand, but Perez’s top transfer target could prove persuasive. It’s claimed that the Madrid president is dreaming of signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

Haaland was on the Spaniards’ radar before he joined City from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022. He has been one of Europe’s most prolific centre-forwards and is dominating the Premier League this season.

The 25-year-old reportedly views a move to the Bernabeu as the “ultimate goal” and that Perez is ready to pursue the Norwegian as early as this summer. He will have to fork out a hefty fee, given that the frontman only signed a new long-term deal with City in January 2025, which doesn’t expire until 2034.

Klopp: ‘Best Striker in the World’ Haaland ‘Set New Standards’

Klopp’s admiration for Haaland could help aid Madrid if they were to pursue the striker after convincing the former Liverpool boss to replace Alonso. The German tactician has come up against the Norway international several times during his managerial career.

That was the case back in October 2022 when Klopp’s Reds met Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens in the Premier League. He called him the best striker in the world while analysing his ability:

“When (Haaland) was very young, you could see the potential, it was insane. Physically he sets new standards, the combination of being really physical and technical and sensational awareness, his orientation on the pitch is exceptional, he knows always where the decisive gaps are, barely offside.”

Klopp added: “Obviously, when you play against somebody at the moment who is the best striker in the world, you have to make sure he doesn’t get that many balls.”

Haaland has been a thorn in Liverpool’s side since joining City, facing the Merseyside giants nine times and finding the back of the net on five occasions. Klopp has previously coached a prolific centre-forward in Robert Lewandowski during his early days at Dortmund, and he might relish getting the chance to work with another of Europe’s greatest goalscorers.