Real Madrid president issues strange statement on new Man City striker Haaland

Manchester City completed the signing of Erling Haaland on Monday, sending a statement of intent to their Premier League rivals ahead of the upcoming campaign. 

The young striker is one of the most coveted talents in world football and, at just £54 million, looks to represent good value for money for Pep Guardiola.

The start of the new season can’t come soon enough for City fans, who will be eagerly anticipating the Norwegian’s debut, which is set to be against West Ham United at The London Stadium on the first Sunday of the season.

In the wake of the deal, though, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has issued a strange statement on the player, who was at one stage linked with the Spanish club.

As reported by The Mirror, Perez told El Chiringuito that the striker would not have become a regular starter at The Bernabeu.

“Mbappe deal didn’t create any problem with Haaland deal, absolutely,” he said.

City will be hoping that Haaland can continue his remarkable goal scoring record

“We have Benzema, so it was impossible to have him with Karim. We can’t sign Haaland to stay on the bench.

“Haaland is an amazing, fantastic player.”

The comments come in the wake of a fantastic season for Benzema, who scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists in 46 games across all competitions.

The Frenchman was particularly impressive in the Champions League, scoring 15 goals in 12 games to almost single-handedly drag Madrid to the final, which they then won.

The club president’s comments will come as a surprise to many, though, with Haaland almost certain to start regularly for any side in Europe, such is his goal scoring record.

The 21-year-old scored 29 goals in 30 matches this season, despite missing several weeks through injury.