Erling Haaland’s Position on New Manchester City Deal Revealed Amid Barcelona and Real Madrid Interest

Erling Haaland has started the 2024-25 season in sensational form with Manchester City, scoring seven goals, including two hat-tricks, in his first three appearances. Despite his impressive performances and happiness at the Etihad, speculation about his future remains rife, particularly with interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Haaland currently has three years remaining on his Manchester City contract. However, negotiations for a new deal have proven challenging. While Haaland is open to extending his stay at City, his representatives have made it clear that they will not agree to remove the release clauses embedded in his current contract.

When Haaland joined City in 2022 on a five-year deal, his contract included release clauses effective from 2024. Although an initial clause linked to the tenure of Pep Guardiola was deactivated when Guardiola renewed his contract, another clause, believed to be around £150 million, will activate in 2025. This clause allows Haaland to potentially leave, though the exact details and the fee could vary as the contract progresses.

Sources indicate that while Haaland’s release clauses are not tied to specific clubs, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are aware of his situation. Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, has expressed strong interest in Haaland, seeing him as a potential long-term replacement for Robert Lewandowski.

Manchester City has been actively pursuing a new contract for Haaland since his arrival, aiming to remove or delay the release clauses. However, Haaland’s commitment to maintaining such clauses reflects his desire to retain control over his future.

City are now reportedly willing to accommodate these clauses in a new contract, with discussions focusing on potentially adjusting the activation date of the release clauses, possibly extending them to 2026.

Haaland’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has assured Manchester City that the clauses are not designed to pressure a move but to ensure that Haaland retains flexibility regarding his career.

As the season progresses, Haaland’s contract situation will continue to be a key topic, with both Manchester City and potential suitors like Barcelona and Real Madrid closely monitoring developments.Erling Haaland has indeed started the 2024-25 season in spectacular form for Manchester City, scoring seven goals in his first three appearances, including two hat-tricks. His early-season performances have only fueled ongoing speculation about his future, despite his apparent happiness at the Etihad Stadium. Interest from clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid persists, particularly given the unique clauses in his contract that could facilitate a move.

Haaland’s current contract with Manchester City runs for three more years, but negotiations for an extension have proven complex. While Haaland is open to extending his stay, his representatives have been clear that they are not willing to remove the release clauses embedded in his current deal. These clauses, included when he joined City in 2022 on a five-year deal, add a layer of flexibility to his future options.

An initial release clause linked to Pep Guardiola’s tenure was deactivated following the manager’s contract renewal. However, a second release clause, reportedly around £150 million, is set to activate in 2025. This clause would allow Haaland to leave Manchester City, though the details and the exact fee may vary as the contract progresses.

While Haaland’s release clauses are not tied to any specific club, both Barcelona and Real Madrid are well aware of his situation. Barcelona’s president, Joan Laporta, is particularly interested in Haaland, viewing him as a potential successor to Robert Lewandowski.

Manchester City has been keen to negotiate a new contract that would either remove or delay these release clauses. However, Haaland and his team, led by his agent Rafaela Pimenta, prefer to keep such clauses intact to maintain control over his career trajectory. Pimenta has assured City that these clauses are not intended to pressure a move but rather to ensure Haaland retains flexibility regarding his future.

City is now reportedly willing to accommodate the clauses in a new contract, potentially adjusting the activation date to 2026 instead of 2025. As the season continues, Haaland’s contract situation is expected to remain a significant talking point, with both City and potential suitors like Barcelona and Real Madrid closely monitoring any developments.