Real Madrid’s "Saviour" Project: The Pursuit of Haaland and Klopp

Date: January 16, 2026

Status: Breaking Rumors & Analysis

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez is reportedly preparing a seismic restructuring of the club’s sporting project. Following the sudden departure of Xabi Alonso and a humiliating Copa del Rey exit under interim boss Álvaro Arbeloa, reports from Sky Sports Deutschland and Fichajes suggest Pérez has identified two "saviours" to lead a new era: Erling Haaland and Jürgen Klopp.

1. The Managerial Target: Jürgen Klopp

Despite his current role as Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, Jürgen Klopp has emerged as the frontrunner to take over the permanent managerial position this summer.

• The Appeal: Madrid hierarchy reportedly believes the club needs a "heavyweight" personality capable of managing a dressing room full of superstars—a task Xabi Alonso reportedly struggled with before his exit.

• The Stance: While Klopp is committed to the Red Bull project, insiders suggest the "Bernabéu lure" is one of the few things that could tempt him back to the touchline.

• Alternative Options: If Klopp remains at Red Bull, Madrid is also monitoring Enzo Maresca (following his Chelsea exit) and Argentina’s World Cup winner Lionel Scaloni.

2. The Great Goal: Erling Haaland

Florentino Pérez’s "dream" is to unite the two most dominant forces in world football: Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

• The Connection: Reports indicate direct contact between Madrid and Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta. Haaland has reportedly long viewed Real Madrid as his "ultimate career goal."

• The Fee: While some reports suggest a figure exceeding €200 million, others claim the total investment (including wages and commissions) could surpass €500 million given his contract with Manchester City runs until 2034.

• The Logic: Pérez sees Haaland as the missing piece—a natural number nine to lead the line, allowing Mbappé to move to his preferred position on the left wing.

3. The "Vinícius" Sacrifice

The arrival of Haaland would necessitate a major departure, both for financial balancing and tactical space.

• The Exit: Vinícius Júnior is the name most frequently linked with a move away. With 18 months left on his contract and no renewal in sight, Madrid may look to cash in on the Brazilian to fund the "Haaland Operation."

• Potential Suitors: Premier League giants, including Liverpool and Manchester United, are reportedly monitoring the situation.

• Klopp’s Input: Some rumors suggest Klopp would prioritize a more traditional center-forward structure, potentially green-lighting the sale of Vinícius to accommodate a Haaland-Mbappé-Rodrygo/Nico Paz frontline.

4. Tactical Outlook: The 2026/27 Vision

If Pérez succeeds, Madrid would boast a squad that looks like a "Galactico 2.0" fantasy team:

Position

Player

Manager

Jürgen Klopp

LW

Kylian Mbappé

ST

Erling Haaland

RW

Rodrygo / Nico Paz

AM

Jude Bellingham

Conclusion

Real Madrid is currently in a state of "crisis management" after falling behind Barcelona in domestic competition. The pursuit of Haaland and Klopp represents Pérez’s classic response to sporting failure: aggressive, high-profile recruitment. While luring Klopp from his Red Bull contract and Haaland from the Etihad will be historically difficult, the next six months at the Bernabéu promise to be the most transformative in recent memory.