Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland does not have a release clause in his Manchester City contract.
It was claimed this week that the 22-year-old's lucrative deal at the Etihad included a specific clause which would facilitate a transfer to Real Madrid at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. However, City manager Guardiola has shut down the suggestions following Haaland's latest heroics in the Champions League, scoring twice as the Citizens smashed Copenhagen 5-0 at home on Wednesday.
"It's not true, he has no release clause for Real Madrid or any other team," Guardiola confirmed post-match. "It's not true, what can I say? I have the feeling he is incredibly happy here. We will try with him and the others to make him happy."
Rumours that Haaland's five-year contract included a release clause specifically related to Real Madrid were sparked by their former player, Fernando Sanz. The ex-Malaga president made the sensational claim that Los Blancos would be able to sign the striker from City in 2024 after losing the race to sign him this past summer.
"The information I have is that there is an exit clause for Haaland in the second year," Sanz claimed on Spanish television programme El Chiringuito. "And the curious thing is that it has very beneficial conditions compared to the rest for one club, which is Real Madrid."
Spanish newspaper Marca argue that Haaland does indeed have multiple release clauses in his deal, with different valuations depending on the year. It's said that the Norwegian would initially cost €200million (£174m) if another club were to buy him in the summer of 2024 and €175m (£152m) a year later in 2025.
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For now, though, City supporters and fans of the Premier League can enjoy Haaland's magnificent performances, much like the one which he produced against Copenhagen. Substituted off at half-time after bagging his brace in the opening 45 minutes, it was left to Citizens teammate Jack Grealish to discuss his goalscoring heroics after the game was done and dusted.
"It's unbelievable honestly. I've never witnessed anything like it in my life. For the first and second goals, I was just laughing. He is always there," Grealish told BT Sport. "The 'keeper said something to me as I was walking back. He said 'he's not human!' I said 'you're telling me?' Hopefully, he can carry on this form and take us to glory."
Guardiola was delighted with his entire side's display, adding: "We are consistent and fighting for everything. After we won the derby 6-3 we had a lot of confidence so great to play the way we played. The result was excellent but I'm really impressed with the way we attacked. I'm really, really satisfied and again compliments to the players."
