Real Madrid were linked with a move for Erling Haaland before he left Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City this summer.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has revealed Karim Benzema was the reason why Real Madrid didn’t push to sign Erling Haaland.

Perez said in interview with El Chiringuito: “We have the best 9 in the world and we weren’t going to bring in Haaland to have him on the bench, right?

“Clause in two years? I don’t know. We have no interest now other than to build the new team with the youngsters we have and some reinforcement.”

Perez also talked about the failed move for Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe.

Speaking about Kylian Mbappe, he continued: “[France president] Macron called Mbappé, it makes no sense.

“PSG offered him to be the leader of the project, it changed everything. I didn’t see same Kylian Mbappé that we wanted.

“Here [at Real Madrid], no one is bigger than Real Madrid. It won’t change.

“It was not easy for Mbappé to receive calls from the president of France… to tell you not to leave the club.

“Then go to Qatar and they offer things that drive you crazy, probably things out of proportion. This is why Kylian has changed.”

Perez always revealed Mbappe’s dream has always been to play for Real Madrid.

He continued: “His dream was to play at Real Madrid, we wanted to do it last August and they didn’t let him leave.

“He kept saying he wanted to play at Madrid and like 15 days before he changed the situation.”

Perez also revealed the current Mbappe isn’t the forward he was keen on signing for Real Madrid.

He continued: “This is not the Mbappé I wanted to bring, he is another one, who must have changed his dream.

“He changes, he is offered other things, he is pressured and he is already another footballer.

“There is no one at Real Madrid above the club. He is a great player, he can win more than others, but it is a collective sport and we have values and principles that we cannot change.”

Perez refused to close the door on a potential Kylian Mbappe deal in future.

He said: “Real Madrid will be always open to buy players who understand that no one is bigger than the club.”