The Norwegian sensation, Erling Haaland, continues to be at the center of negotiations between Manchester City and his representatives for a potential new contract.
Since his remarkable debut season in England, where City secured the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup titles, Haaland has maintained his exceptional form, leading the scoring charts with 17 goals in 18 appearances across various competitions.
Having proven himself as a top-tier striker in world football since joining City, Haaland’s consistent goal-scoring prowess from his time at Borussia Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg validates his standing. His recognition was further underscored when he finished as the runner-up to the 2023 Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, preceding Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
Upon his arrival at City in 2022, Haaland signed a five-year contract that included clauses akin to his previous deals at Dortmund and Salzburg. Speculation has linked him to Real Madrid and Barcelona, heightening the belief that Haaland might eventually move to one of Spain’s premier clubs.
Reports from 90min in March indicated City’s intent to revise Haaland’s contract by removing a specific release clause while enhancing the terms. However, his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has strongly advocated for Haaland’s autonomy in determining his future, reiterating this stance recently. Pimenta emphasized that only City and Haaland’s inner circle are privy to the value of his release clause.
Insights from 90min suggest that the clauses within Haaland’s contract won’t come into effect until 2025, some of which were removed when Pep Guardiola extended his contract. City seems inclined to renegotiate, possibly increasing the release clause’s value rather than eliminating it entirely. Nevertheless, Haaland, already among City’s highest earners, isn’t in a hurry to engage in discussions with the club’s leadership.
Real Madrid emerges as a frontrunner if Haaland decides to leave, although their immediate focus is on pursuing Kylian Mbappe from PSG next summer. Meanwhile, Barcelona, as exclusively revealed by 90min in September, eyes Haaland from 2025 onward, aiming to resolve their financial issues by then and seek a successor for Robert Lewandowski, who will be nearing the end of his contract and nearing 37 years of age.