Man City Dismiss Haaland Exit Claims, Threaten Legal Action Over Real Madrid Reports

Manchester City have rejected claims that Erling Haaland could leave the club for Real Madrid this summer, insisting there is no clause in the striker’s contract that would allow such a move.

The Premier League champions were responding to comments made by Enrique Riquelme, one of the candidates in Real Madrid’s upcoming presidential election.

Riquelme had pledged to bring both Haaland and Rodri to the Santiago Bernabeu if elected. He also claimed the Norway international’s contract contained a release clause that could pave the way for a transfer.

City swiftly denied the suggestion, saying: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are false.

“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 controversy gathered further momentum after reports in Spain suggested Riquelme had already reached an agreement with Haaland ahead of a potential takeover at Real Madrid.

The claims prompted a rare public response from Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, and his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, who moved quickly to shut down the speculation.

“All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid election,” a statement released jointly by Alfie and Pimenta reads.

Haaland has been a long-term target for Real Madrid and is regularly linked with a move to Spain. However, the 25-year-old committed his future to City earlier this year by signing a new contract in January 2025.

The deal ties the prolific forward to the Etihad Stadium until June 2034.