Man City: Haaland tunnel incident baffles Guardiola
Real Madrid believe Manchester City are the only club who can get anywhere near Borussia Dortmund's asking price for Erling Haaland, according to reports. Haaland is linked with the majority of Europe's top clubs after a stunning first full season in the Bundesliga. The Norwegian has scored 37 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions this term.
Real Madrid transfer news: Real believe only Manchester City can afford Erling Haaland (Image: GETTY)
And Real believe City are the only club who can offer anywhere close to that amount.
"Their expectation was, again information from inside Madrid, that nobody apart from Manchester City had the money to get to Dortmund's asking price, or get near it," Castles said on the Transfer Window podcast.
"So Dortmund's asking price €180m, [Mino] Raiola's pitching it at €150m.
"Madrid think only Manchester City can afford to do that."
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Real Madrid transfer news: Manchester City could win the treble this season (Image: EXPRESS)
Castles says Real will not pay more than the £64.5m clause in Haaland's contract, even this summer.
"My information from inside Madrid is that they will not pay more than €75m for Haaland, that's their position," Castles said.
"They know the release clause is €75m in a year's time, they're not going to go over that.
"If Dortmund are ready to sell this summer, then they'll say: 'Here you go Haaland, if you can get yourself out for €75m, we'll take you and you choose whether you want to come here, assuming we can't do [Kylian] Mbappe'."
Meanwhile, Castles' co-host Ian McGarry says Barca have made an initial offer of £90.3m for Haaland but do not expect it to be accepted.
"Barcelona have made an initial bid that we understand to be €105m," McGarry said.
"I suspect that it's not a bid that they believe will be accepted by Borussia Dortmund, given the valuation of the player is probably upwards of €150m.
"However, as all negotiations do they start with a whisper rather than with a shout.
"[Joan Laporta] has effectively made the opening shot if you like to Borussia Dortmund, with regards to trying to fund a deal."