Report: Haaland most likely to join Manchester City or Real Madrid

Manchester City and Real Madrid are in the strongest position to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer, leading the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race for Europe's most in-demand striker, The Athletic's David Ornstein reports.

Although Haaland's €75-million release clause only becomes active in the summer, the 21-year-old is expected to make a decision about his future in the coming weeks, according to Ornstein.

Madrid reportedly hope to lure both Kylian Mbappe and Haaland, with the Norwegian international potentially joining in 2023 when Karim Benzema's contract expires. But Haaland is likely to seek an exit this year, and with City in immediate need of a center-forward, Madrid may not have the time to wait.

In December, Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, named City, Barcelona, Bayern, and Madrid as the only clubs that could afford to sign his client. Bayern president Herbert Hainer subsequently denied interest in Haaland, saying, "We have Robert Lewandowski."

Despite encountering several financial issues in recent years and delays in registering signings, Barcelona president Joan Laporta stoked rumors in January that Haaland could end up in Catalonia.

"We're working to build a top team. Everything is possible if we do things well, and I'm sure we will," Laporta said. "Top players are open to joining Barca."

But the president clarified Sunday that Barcelona hadn't opened talks with Haaland's team.

Haaland, who's missed 16 matches this season, is currently out with a muscle injury.