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Manchester City deny Erling Haaland has a Real Madrid clause, condemn Enrique Riquelme using his image in election campaign, consider legal action, and insist Haaland will stay.
Man City’s Erling Haaland bagged the 28th (AFP)
Manchester City have dismissed suggestions that Erling Haaland could be on his way to Real Madrid and are weighing legal options after the club’s name and star striker were dragged into the Spanish giants’ presidential election campaign.
The controversy erupted after Real Madrid presidential challenger Enrique Riquelme publicly claimed he could bring both Haaland and Rodri to the Santiago Bernabeu if elected. Appearing on Spanish television ahead of Sunday’s election, Riquelme unveiled a Real Madrid jersey bearing Haaland’s name and declared that a deal for the Norway international was achievable.
“Haaland has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid,” Riquelme said.
The 37-year-old businessman, who is attempting to unseat long-serving president Florentino Perez, even pledged financial compensation to club members if he failed to deliver on his transfer promises.
Riquelme insisted that Haaland’s contract situation would allow a move to Madrid and suggested the striker was interested in joining the Spanish club.
City responded forcefully on Thursday, rejecting the claims outright.
“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” a club spokesperson said in a statement. “There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
The speculation comes despite Haaland committing his long-term future to City by signing a record 10-year contract extension in January 2025. The 25-year-old reaffirmed his happiness at the Etihad Stadium during an interview earlier this year.
Haaland’s representatives were similarly dismissive. In a statement provided to English media, agent Rafaela Pimenta and the striker’s father, Alfie Haaland, described the rumours as little more than election-season entertainment and denied there was any truth to them, while wishing both Madrid candidates well.
Meanwhile, City are also determined to retain Rodri, who more openly suggested he would love to return to Spain and play for Madrid. There’s a bit of tumult in Manchester with Pep Guardiola leaving, Enzo Maresca arriving, and the impending decision on the 115 charges of financial doping, and how the club goes through the noise around itself would determine its next season’s fortunes.
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