Erling Haaland ’s agent Rafaela Pimenta has suggested that the striker must be “protected” from “exaggerated news” over his Manchester City future.
The Norwegian joined the reigning Premier League champions in the summer in a £51m switch from German giants Borussia Dortmund. He has enjoyed an electric start to life at the Etihad Stadium having netted 23 goals in 18 games in all competitions.
Despite that, there have been concerns over his future and most specifically a release clause written into his contract. It was previously reported that a £172m clause will become active in 2024 but that will fall to just £150m the following year - with certain suggestions hinting that there were special allowances written in for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Haaland’s agent Pimenta has attempted to clarify talk over Haaland’s contract and suggested that the previous reports could have been “exaggerated”. Speaking in an interview with Marca, she said: "You have to do it [ask the question about the release clause] and it is very interesting.
“If we don’t say anything, surely something is interpreted and if we say something, too. As a lawyer, I know that I can’t say anything, but I also know that if I don’t say it, they will say it.
"It’s a very nice thing [the rumours], but I hope there aren’t too many. I understand the attention, the curiosity that arouses. It’s the novelty.
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“Curiosity is normal, but I hope with Erling, when there are no things to say, they don’t make them up. This is something that is happening. They look for easy clicks. There is exaggerated news."
She continued: "Haaland must be protected from this situation because he is a very young boy who still has to grow up. Everything is news around him, but it has to be because of his goals and his way of playing. I don’t want other things to come."
Pimenta is not the first to have clarified the terms of Haaland’s contract over recent months. Man City boss Pep Guardiola moved to deny that there was a special release clause in his deal should Real Madrid be interested in signing him.
Speaking last month, the Spanish coach said: "It is not true. He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.
“It is not true, that is all I can say. The rumours, people talk, we cannot control it. Always we must worry about what we can control.
"He adapted really well and I have the feeling that he is incredibly happy here. We will try, with all the people who want to stay here, to make them happy. That is the most important thing.”
