Fabrizio Romano has shut down the idea of Erling Haaland joining Real Madrid this summer, but he has not closed the door on a future move. The transfer journalist said Haaland to Madrid this summer is “no”, while also saying the forward can still be considered a possibility one day. Haaland is under contract at Manchester City until 2034, which keeps any immediate exit firmly off the table.

Romano's position on the summer move

Romano was direct on the timing. “I am telling you Haaland to Real Madrid this summer – no,” he said, before adding that a move “one day” remains possible. He also said Haaland is “very happy at Man City” and called him a “crucial player” for the City project.

That is the clearest reading of the current situation. The summer move is dismissed, but the long-term conversation survives because Romano himself has left it open. That is backed up by Alf-Inge Haaland, who told football365.com: “Real Madrid move? He's very happy at Manchester City and has a long contract. We're waiting for the new season… but anyone would want to play for Madrid. You never know what can happen in football.”

Why the future talk refuses to go away

Haaland's output helps explain why the conversation keeps coming back. He has 7 goals in 4 appearances across 379 minutes at the 2026 World Cup. He also scored both goals in Norway's 2-1 win over Brazil in the World Cup Round of 16.

Real Madrid remain an obvious name in the mix if the future becomes relevant. They finished 2nd in La Liga with 86 points, while Manchester City also finished 2nd in the Premier League with 78 points. Those are the sort of clubs that keep any elite striker linked with big moves, even when the player is under a long contract.

Romano has ruled out the summer version of the story, and that is the part worth taking at face value. The future version is still alive because both Romano and Alf-Inge Haaland left it there, and Haaland's World Cup form is only keeping the noise around him louder.

Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →