Erling Haaland has been the subject of transfer rumous after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed an agreement was in place
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
09:41, 04 Jun 2026Updated 09:45, 04 Jun 2026
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland has been linked with a move to Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City have warned of potential legal proceedings following suggestions that Real Madrid will secure Erling Haaland's signature if Enrique Riquelme triumphs in their presidential race. The La Liga club is currently undergoing its presidential election process.
Members will decide between incumbent president Florentino Perez, 79, and challenger Riquelme during a special ballot on Sunday. In the run-up to that vote, Riquelme pledged to deliver the Manchester City striker to the Bernabéu. It comes as Perez confirmed he would sign Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool if he is re-elected.
"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," Riquelme stated. "Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid."
City have now responded and are clearly unhappy with Riquelme's assertions. A spokesperson for the club declared: "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."
The club's response follows similarly robust remarks from the Norwegian's camp. His agent Rafaela Pimenta and father Alfie Haaland issued a joint statement saying: "All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections".
Haaland has consistently been touted for a switch to Real Madrid throughout his spell at the Etihad Stadium, with suggestions they might trigger a release clause in his contract.
However, the striker reaffirmed his dedication to City in January last year by penning a new nine-and-a-half year agreement.
Haaland, 25, arrived at the club from Borussia Dortmund in 2022 and has since netted a staggering 162 goals - 38 of those coming this season. He isn't the sole Man City player that Riquelme has vowed to bring in this summer if elected.
Rafaela Pimenta
Rafaela Pimenta has clarified Erling Haaland's future(Image: Getty Images)
Spanish midfielder Rodri also features on his wishlist, with Riquelme confirming that talks regarding a transfer to the Bernabeu have taken place. He said: "He's a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen.
"We've spoken to his agent, we have to respect his club, but if I'm president he'll play for Madrid. I'll do everything possible."
Rodri, though, has kept quiet about a possible transfer and indicated he would address his future following the World Cup. Speaking at a press conference, he said: "With a World Cup ahead, my responsibility is to stay focused. Anything related to my future will wait until after the World Cup."
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He added: "When a player is approaching the final stage of his contract, it's normal for names to be mentioned. "I'm very calm, I know exactly where I stand, and I'll tell you that perhaps if there hadn't been a World Cup, things might be different now."