Erling Haaland has developed into one of the best strikers in world football.
This was predicted for the Norwegian star when he left Borussia Dortmund for Man City during the summer of 2022, as there was a lot of hype around the forward following his impressive spell in Germany, where he produced 86 goals and 23 assists across 89 games for Die Schwarzgelben.
This attracted the interest of several major clubs across Europe; however, City always had an advantage, not only because of the success they were having and Pep Guardiola being at the club, but it was a team Haaland’s dad represented.
However, Haaland’s team always had his future in mind, and when signing for the Manchester club, a certain clause was inserted into his contract, which would always give the Norwegian a way out.
Erling Haaland grimaces during Manchester City v Wydad at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
The rumoured Real Madrid release clause in Erling Haaland’s contract was true
Haaland recently signed a new Man City contract which keeps him at the Etihad Stadium until 2034, which shows that the Norwegian star now plans to remain in Manchester for the long haul.
Speaking about Kevin De Bruyne recently, Haaland hinted that he could try to replicate the Belgian’s 10-year stint at Man City, while this week, Guardiola said that the Norway international could be a future City captain, having added the 24-year-old to the club’s leadership team.
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This potential long stay in Manchester did not always look on before the striker signed his new deal, as Real Madrid have always had an interest in Haaland, and in his previous deal there was clause that would allow him to leave for the Spanish giants, which was reported to be set at £174m.
Erling Haaland with his arms raised during Fulham v Manchester City.
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Speaking on The Transfers Podcast about the demands Benjamin Sesko has been telling Arsenal he would like in his potential Gunners contract, Duncan Castles confirmed Haaland’s clause to be true, stating: “The prime counterexample would be Erling Haaland to Manchester City.
“In that Manchester City did allow Haaland to write into that agreement where he could move essentially to Real Madrid or Barcelona for a set fee down the line.
“So they put in that development element in order to convince him to come, but that was because of the degree of competition for the player.”
A move to Real Madrid may develop for Haaland somewhere down the line, but another club is more likely to land the Norwegian star before the La Liga giants do.
Barcelona could be Erling Haaland’s next destination
Although Haaland looks set to be at Man City for many more years, Castles mentions the interest of Barcelona, who at the time of the Norwegian’s move to Man City had severe financial difficulties that restricted them from competing for the striker’s signature.
By the time the 24-year-old’s career at the Etihad Stadium is up, the Catalan club should be fully out of the woods on that front, and with Robert Lewandowski very likely to have left the club by then, that would be a role Haaland could fill.
Real Madrid would certainly look to sign the Norwegian superstar as well, but with Kylian Mbappe already at the Bernabeu, that may turn the Man City star off moving to the Spanish capital.
Haaland recently expressed his admiration for Lamine Yamal, while the striker has often praised Barca legend Lionel Messi in the past.
With the Norway international very unlikely to join another English club, Barcelona feel like the next destination for the striker’s career.