Chess world champion Carlsen wanted to lure BVB star Haaland to Real Madrid

Chess world champion Magnus Carlsen dreams of transferring his Norwegian compatriot Erling Haaland to Spanish record champions Real Madrid. “I hope he goes to Real,” the 31-year-old is quoted as saying by the newspaper Verdens Gang, “but I think that’s unlikely at the moment.”

Haaland is likely to leave Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City in the summer. While Carlsen is said to be a big Premier League fan, he reported he tried to convince the striker of the Los Blancos during a visit to Dortmund last November.

Reals striker Karim Benzema (34) will “not forever” be able to play as well as he is currently, said Carlsen – Haaland is therefore a good fit for Madrid. However, the advisory team around the 21-year-old thought “very carefully” about which club would be ideal for him. “It will be very exciting to see where he goes,” said Carlsen.