REAL MADRID boss Florentino Perez is eyeing big transfer moves to lift the Spanish giants out of a slump.
Perez wants to sign Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland this summer, and has also added former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca to his head coach shortlist.
The Spanish businessman remains in close contact with Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, and hopes to make a move in the summer.
Even before the Norwegian superstar moved to Manchester in 2022, Madrid tabled an offer before Haaland chose to work with Pep Guardiola.
Haaland is known to be a big fan of Spain and he views Real Madrid as his ultimate career goal.
However, a deal will not be straightforward due to Haaland’s massive contract which ties him to City until 2034.
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Real will have to offer a mega fee of more than €500million (£433m), which means they have to sanction the sale of Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior.
Perez is hopeful a deal can be struck as soon as this summer, but there are questions over the feasibility of what would be a record-breaking transfer fee.
Real Madrid trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by four points at the halfway mark of the season.
Xabi Alonso was sacked in the aftermath of a 3-2 defeat to their bitter rivals in the Spanish Super Cup final, before Alvaro Arbeloa took over on an interim basis.
Maresca could be the most realistic permanent replacement in the summer.
Jurgen Klopp has also been discussed internally, but the former Liverpool boss is still tied to the Red Bull network long-term as their global sports director.
Zinedine Zidane is also a preferred candidate, but is more likely to take up the France national team head coach role after this summer’s World Cup.
The three-time Champions League winner also has a fractured relationship with Perez from their time in the past.
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