Owen: Haaland Signing for Real Madrid Could Spell Mbappe's Exit

2026-08-10

Recently, Michael Owen offered his insights on the transfer speculation surrounding Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe during an interview with Goal. He suggested that if Haaland were to join Real Madrid, it would be difficult for both players to operate effectively together on the pitch at the Bernabeu.

With Real Madrid reviving their Galacticos recruitment strategy, Owen expressed his concerns: the potential positional conflict between two top forwards would force the club to make a tough decision between them. Since arriving at Real Madrid as a free agent in the summer of 2024, Mbappe has excelled, scoring 86 goals in 103 appearances. However, the absence of any major silverware has left him feeling despondent, despite his phenomenal performances that have made him a crucial figure in the squad.

In an effort to bolster their squad further, Real Madrid recently signed young forward Jan Diomande for €140 million. As transfer rumors circulate, the links between Haaland and the club have intensified. Although Haaland signed a decade-long contract with Manchester City and his father has paved the way for a future transfer, his impressive performances in the Premier League have made him one of the most sought-after forwards.

Discussing Haaland's potential future, Owen stated, “Real Madrid already has Mbappe and it's unlikely they would spend heavily on Haaland as well. There are concerns about whether Vinicius and Mbappe can coexist; adding Haaland would further complicate the team's formation. I believe a choice will have to be made between Mbappe and Haaland unless Mbappe departs — a dual-star combination is simply not feasible in the short term.”

Additionally, former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott recently weighed in on Haaland's potential transfer, noting, "Even players from Manchester would feel an allure to a club the stature of Real Madrid. However, in Haaland's case, Manchester City is unlikely to let him go easily, especially given his status as a core player. The transfer fee could be astronomical."

Currently, Haaland's contract with Manchester City runs until 2034, while Mbappe's deal extends until 2029, and there is no indication that he is keen on leaving Real Madrid. Therefore, if Haaland were to ultimately decide to leave the Premier League, he might need to consider options beyond just Real Madrid.