Man City are considering taking legal action after a Real Madrid presedential candidate said he would sign Erling Haaland, if elected.
What actually happened?
Real presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who faces current president Florentino Perez in Sunday's vote, claimed on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland had a release clause and wants to move to the Bernabeu. He also held up a Real shirt with 'Haaland 9' on the back.
Riquelme, who also promised to sign Haaland's City team-mate Rodri, said: "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.
"Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid."
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What was City's response?
However, Manchester City have moved quickly to refute those claims, saying in a statement that there is "no chance" Haaland will be leaving the Etihad Stadium any time soon. The Premier League club also said they are considering legal action over the shirt stunt.
A City spokesperson said in a statement: "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."
Haaland is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034 and Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland laughed off suggestions the 25-year-old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital.
A joint-statement released in the early hours of Thursday morning said: "All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections."
Haaland joined City in 2022 and signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025.
The Norway striker has been a prolific scorer since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, helping City win two Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He has struck 162 times in 198 appearances for the club and won the Premier League's Golden Boot award in three of the past four years.
Riquelme also said he would sign City midfielder Rodri, whose current contract runs until 2027.
The 29-year-old Spain international has previously been linked with Real but City still consider him to be part of their plans.
Rodri said earlier this week he did not want to discuss his future until after the World Cup.
What was Perez's response?
Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Perez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho's return to Real Madrid as manager, if he wins next Sunday's presidential election.
Perez posted a video on X in which Mourinho features in a Real shirt saying: "Yes", while the only other words to accompany it say: "Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made."
The video was posted in response to Riquelme's TV apperaance promoting his rival bid.
Perez has made no secret of his intention to name Mourinho as head coach should he win the vote and remain for an eighth term in the role, but his social media post appears to have made it official.
Mourinho is widely expected to agree a three-year-deal to return to the Bernabeu Stadium and replace Alvaro Arbeloa, who was appointed in January after Xabi Alonso's departure.
Benfica have yet to confirm Mourinho's departure, while speculation has been mounting that Marco Silva is being lined up as his successor after the Portuguese announced he will leave Fulham when his contract expires in June.
Real Madrid's presidential election on Sunday will be decided by the club's members. It is the first contested election since 2006 as club members will choose between incumbent Perez, 79, and businessman Riquelme, 37.
Haaland viewed as 'integral' to Man City's future
Sky Sports News' Ben Ransom:
It's quite unusual for Man City to go on the record like this. They are refusing these claims. And they are only claims, unsubstantiated.
But they come from someone who is trying to be elected as Real Madrid's president.
He feels he has the authority to go on Spanish TV and make such claims - City are keen to nip this in the bud very quickly.
Haaland has won the Golden Boot in three of the last four seasons, only Mo Salah interrupting that run.
When he signed he helped them win their first Champions League. He was a major part of their trebling-winning season in 2023. He's been scintillating.
He's a huge part of this club, and if you are a new manager coming in following Pep Guardiola leaving, he'll be viewed as an integral part of the future.
