City Denies Madrid Links

Manchester City have issued a stark warning regarding the future of Erling Haaland, dismissing recent reports linking the Norwegian striker to Real Madrid as entirely false. The Premier League champions indicated they are considering legal action after the player's image was utilized in a misleading political campaign within Spanish football.

The controversy stems from the club's recent presidential election, where outsider candidate Enrique Riquelme made bold assertions. Riquelme claimed he had already negotiated agreements to bring both Haaland and midfielder Rodri to the Santiago Bernabéu should he win the presidency. These statements quickly spread across social media and sports news outlets, causing confusion among fans.

City's official response was unequivocal. "The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are false," the club stated. "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."

Long-Term Commitment in Manchester

The claims ignore the reality of Haaland's situation at the Etihad Stadium. In January 2025, the 25-year-old signed a landmark contract extension that keeps him at City until 2034. This deal is among the longest and most lucrative in global football, effectively ending years of speculation linking him to European giants.

Reports confirm that the new agreement removed any previously rumored release clauses. Since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022, Haaland has scored over 100 goals for the club, becoming a central figure in their domestic and European success. Manager Enzo Maresca continues to view the striker as the cornerstone of the team's long-term project.

Haaland's representatives also rejected the rumors. His father, Alfie Haaland, and agent Rafaela Pimenta stated there has been no contact with Real Madrid. "The rumors are entertaining, but they are simply not true," they said in a joint statement.

Political Rhetoric in Madrid

The incident highlights the intense atmosphere surrounding Real Madrid's first contested presidential election in nearly two decades. Incumbent president Florentino Pérez is favored to win, but Riquelme attempted to energize supporters with ambitious promises.

During an appearance on the television show "El Hormiguero," Riquelme pledged to pay membership fees for club socios if the signings failed to materialize. While the remarks generated headlines, they are widely viewed as campaign rhetoric rather than realistic transfer plans. For Manchester City, the misuse of their star player's name in a political battle hundreds of miles away has proven deeply frustrating.