'Operation Haaland' is a-go! Real Madrid eye signing Erling Haaland in 2024 with the Norwegian striker set to take over scoring duties from Karim Benzema... with another move for Kylian Mbappe is NOT ruled out

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Real Madrid are preparing 'Operation Haaland', which will see the Spanish giants make the Norwegian wunderkind a priority signing for 2024, according to reports. 

The focus on Haaland is irrespective of whether the club continues to target Kylian Mbappe, and Madrid is said to be preparing to meet Haaland's potential price tag of between £194.5 to £212.2million (€220 to €240million). 

The long-range acquisition is said to allow for the Manchester City striker to arrive as Karim Benzema wraps up his time with the club, according to Spanish outlet as. 

Benzema 'verbally agreed' a one-year contract extension with the club where he has plied his trade since 2009, which is set to keep him in the Spanish capital until 2024. 

The French international seamlessly stepped in Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes as leader of the line for Los Blancos after his move to Juventus in 2018, and 'Operation Haaland' will look to continue the well-oiled line of succession. 

By organising themselves ahead of time, the 14-time Champions League winners believe they will be in pole position to sign the striker and able to secure the deal over rival clubs. 

'Operation Haaland' aims to bring Erling Haaland to the Bernabeu in the summer of 2024

Kylian Mbappe could yet be a Real Madrid target regardless of whether they acquire Haaland

Sportsmail previously reported that Real Madrid would be keen to exploit any potential sanctions City might accrue following the Premier League's charging of the club with more than 100 financial rule breaches in their bid to sign Haaland.  

Real Madrid were previously interested in the 22-year-old in 2022 when City were the club to tempt Haaland away from Borussia Dortmund to the tune of £51.2million. 

But due to Haaland's personal connection with the Cityzens, Benzema's white-hot form, and City's financial might, the striker plumped for a move into the Premier League. 

The LaLiga outfit however does believe that signing the player is possible due the existence of a release clause in Haaland's five-year contract. 

According to as, there were initially concerns that Haaland's release clause was linked to Pep Guardiola's own contract with the Manchester club, but there are said to have been debunked. 

The club are still interested in pursuing Mbappe – even after the catastrophic misfire last summer which saw an almost-deal with the Paris Saint-Germain player fall through – but may save negotiations for 2024 when the player is a free agent. 

Star-man Karim Benzema is said to have been offered a year-long contract extension

Eden Hazard has previously revealed that he intends to see out his contract at Madrid, which expires in June 2024

Opponents will likely be terrified by the mere thought of an Mbappe-Haaland-Vinicius Jr front three, and Madrid could be able to pursue this 'super-galactico' dream as Benzema, Luka Modrid, and Eden Hazard will all have likely wrapped up their time at the club. 

Haaland has been on monstrous form for City of late, last week scoring two hat-tricks in the space of a week in City's Champions League and FA Cup games before the international break. 

This recent haul brings his season total to 42, with Alan Shearer suggesting on Match of the Day that in light of his current performances, Haaland could score up to '60' goals by the season's end. 

At the start of March, Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta called Madrid 'dreamland' for all players in remarks made at the FT Business of Football summit.