Man City release firm Erling Haaland statement as Real Madrid 'agreement' announced
Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has promised to sign Manchester City's Erling Haaland if elected - and City have responded.
Manchester City have threatened legal action following claims Real Madrid will sign Erling Haaland should Enrique Riquelme win their presidential election. The Spanish heavyweights are currently selecting their new president. Club members will decide between long-standing president Florentino Perez, 79, and Riquelme in a special ballot on Sunday.
In the run-up to that vote, the latter had pledged to secure a deal for Manchester City striker Haaland. "If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I've signed a guarantee where I'd pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season," Riquelme said. "Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid."
City have now issued a response and are not impressed by Riquelme's assertions. A statement from a City spokesperson read: "The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue. 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."
City's statement follows equally forceful remarks from the Norwegian striker's representatives. In a joint statement, his agent Rafaela Pimenta and his dad Alfie Haaland said: "All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections."
Haaland has consistently been touted for a switch to Real Madrid throughout his spell at the Etihad Stadium, with suggestions they could seek to trigger a release clause included in his contract. However, the striker reaffirmed his dedication to City in January last year by penning a new nine-and-a-half-year agreement.
Haaland, 25, arrived at the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and has since netted a staggering 162 goals - 38 of which have come this season. He is not the sole Man City star that Riquelme has pledged to recruit this summer should he prove victorious.
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Spanish midfielder Rodri also features on his wishlist and Riquelme confirmed that talks regarding a transfer to the Bernabeu have already taken place. He said: "He's a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen.
"We've spoken to his agent, we have to respect his club, but if I'm president he'll play for Madrid. I'll do everything possible."
Rodri, however, has kept his counsel on a prospective deal and indicated he would address his future following the World Cup. Speaking in a press conference, he said: "With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused. Anything related to my future will wait until after the World Cup."
He added: "When a player is approaching the final stage of his contract, it's normal for names to be mentioned. "I'm very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and I'll tell you that perhaps if there hadn't been a World Cup, things might be different now."
