Real Madrid 'plotting double swoop for Erling Braut Haaland, Joao Cancelo'

Real Madrid are reportedly planning an audacious double swoop to sign Manchester City duo Erling Braut Haaland and Joao Cancelo.

Los Blancos made two signings over the summer in the form of Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger, but Carlo Ancelotti is still keen to make improvements in key areas of the first team, with both Haaland and Cancelo emerging as potential targets.

Haaland moved to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund on July 1 after City activated his £51m release clause, and the 22-year-old has since made an electric start to life in England, scoring 14 goals in just 10 appearances across all competitions.

Cancelo, meanwhile, has been with the Citizens since 2019, recording eight goals and 20 assists in 138 appearances, and the versatile full-back is regarded as a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine.

Even though both players are under contract at City until June 2027, AS reports that Real Madrid are hoping to sign the pair in the near future, starting with Cancelo in the summer of 2023.

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The report claims that Real are confident that they can strike a deal with the Citizens to sign the 29-year-old for a fee between €40m (£35.3m) and €50m (£44.2m).

The Spanish giants have allegedly held an interest in Cancelo since he was with Valencia between 2014 and 2017, and they view the Portugal international as an upgrade for either Ferland Mendy or Dani Carvajal.

Mendy still has three years remaining on his contract, but the left-back's future at the Santiago Bernabeu has recently been questioned, and AS claims that his requests for a salary rise are above what Real are willing to pay.

Carvajal, meanwhile, turns 31 in January and the potential addition of Cancelo would provide much-needed support for the Spanish right-back.

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As for Haaland, Real Madrid held talks with the Norwegian and his representatives over the summer, but the striker did not want to play second fiddle behind club captain Karim Benzema.

The report states that Los Blancos are prepared to reignite their interest in City's No.9 in the summer of 2024 when his €180m (£158.7m) release clause becomes active.

Benzema will turn 36 years old in two years' time and Real Madrid feel that this would be a suitable time for the Frenchman to pass the baton to Haaland, who is thought to be open to moving to the La Liga club in the future.

Both Haaland and Cancelo have started every competitive fixture for City so far this season and they are expected to retain their places in Guardiola's first XI for Sunday's Premier League showdown with rivals Manchester United.