Erling Haaland to Real Madrid transfer truth, 'secret' Man City clause, Pep Guardiola dream

Erling Haaland is Manchester City's key player this season with 20 goals in 20 appearances

Erling Haaland has constantly been linked with moves away from Manchester City(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Erling Haaland has cemented his place as one of Manchester City's greatest ever strikers. The Norwegian has an incredible goal-per-game ratio, tallying 144 strikes in 166 appearances.

The Treble-winning forward has become a key component in City's attacking line and has amassed an impressive silverware cabinet since his arrival in 2022. With two Premier League titles, one Champions League and a host of domestic cups, the 25-year-old has been one of the club's most prolific signings.

At the beginning of 2025, Haaland penned a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year deal with the club which ties him to the Etihad Stadium until 2034.

Despite this lengthy extension, rumours still continue to swirl on his potential exit clause. Here, Manchester Evening News details what has been said about Haaland's loyalties to City as they gear up to face Real Madrid tonight - a club constantly linked with the prolific hitman.

Secret Man City clause

Erling Haaland signed a new deal committing his future to the club - but is there a release clause added?(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

The Norwegian's former contract reportedly contained a secret release clause that could only have been triggered by European heavyweights Real Madrid. Their former president Fernando Sanz told Spanish TV show El Chiringuito that only the likes of Madrid would be able to access this clause.

He said: "The information I have is that there is an exit clause for Haaland in the second year, and the curious thing is that it has very beneficial conditions compared to the rest for one club, which is Real Madrid."

This news came after Haaland's father Alf-Inge claimed his son will leave City in the future to test himself in other leagues. He said: "I think Erling wants to test his abilities in all leagues, then he can stay in them for three or four years at the most.

"He could be, for example, two and a half years in Germany, two and a half years in England and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?"

But this clause is no more, according to The Athletic. The 25-year-old's newest deal, cut in January 2025, removed any chance for clubs to sanction a deal via a release fee.

Real Madrid truth

Erling Haaland's agent insists the striker holds all the cards(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Three years ago, Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta didn't shut down transfer rumours as reports continued to link him to Real Madrid. Despite his contract tying him to City until 2027 at the time, speculation continued to fly about Madrid making a bumper move for the striker.

Speaking to Marca in 2022, Pimenta was clear that things can change in a second. She said: "Perfectly planned career? I don't know. What I do know is that it's structured. What happens I can't tell. Things can change. We have a clear idea of what we want to do.

"When his father (Alf-Inge Haaland) first arrived at the office, he looked at me and told me that the most important thing was the planning, the project. He found the right site and agency because we always have a project for all players.

"It's a professional project, but we're talking about variables that we don't control. They're all great, but 20 years ago we described a project with a Brazilian player and he had five serious injuries. The project couldn't work. With Erling we had a project from the beginning and the project is working. We're moving forward."

Pimenta has since changed her tune following Haaland's bumper new deal at City. During an interview with Meczyki, the striker's agent said: "Do you think Erling (Haaland) will ever cut himself, even having this long term contract with City, from rumours about Real Madrid?

"It’s always Haaland and Real Madrid in the media. People like to talk and there will always be rumours. I never make any comments or never address the media."

When probed on Haaland's contractual details agreed in January, she added: "I never comment on contracts. Erling has all the freedom because I think when you do what you want, you know what you’re doing, you have a proper deal… you have freedom."

Pep Guardiola dream

Pep Guardiola understands the tricky nature of the transfer market(Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Current boss Pep Guardiola praised Haaland's loyalty to the club for signing a new deal. But he admits he understands the "dreams" that Madrid and Barcelona have of tempting him away to Spain.

He said: "Tell me one club for which it wouldn’t be a dream to have Erling Haaland. I understand that it’s a dream for Barcelona to want him. If he weren’t with us, it would also be a dream for City."

While Guardiola was firm about Haaland's contractual obligations, he noted that the transfer market is always unpredictable. He added: "What’s going to happen? Honestly, I don’t know. He has a long contract here; I think he’s doing very well, scoring a lot of goals, always trying to improve, always creating more chances to score.

"I don’t think Erling is stupid enough to sign something he doesn’t intend to fulfill. That’s for sure. But in football, who knows what the future will bring?"