Pep Guardiola has knocked back suggestions Erling Haaland has a release clause in his Manchester City contract that would allow him to join Real Madrid for a fixed fee, before admitting he does not know whether an abdominal injury sustained by the defender Kyle Walker could be severe enough to rule him out of the World Cup next month.
Reports from Spain in the run-up to City’s 5-0 Champions League victory against Copenhagen on Wednesday – in which Haaland scored twice to take his incredible tally this season to 19 in just 12 matches – suggested Madrid could sign Haaland for €200m in 2024, or €175m in 2025, as per the terms of the contract he signed with City this year.
