Erling Haaland has been rumoured with a stunning move away from Manchester City
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
07:00, 10 Jun 2026
Erling Haaland claps
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Erling Haaland was linked with Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Erling Haaland's speculated summer transfer to Real Madrid now looks unlikely. The Manchester City star seems poised to stay at the Etihad Stadium this summer, though he has previously expressed a desire to one day turn out for Leeds United.
Speculation surrounding Haaland and a blockbuster switch to Los Blancos emerged after Real's presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who subsequently lost the election, pledged to bring in the Norwegian should he be victorious.
Nevertheless, Florentino Perez secured the majority vote, winning 64.8 per cent against his rival's 35.2 per cent, and vowed to table a club-record transfer bid of at least £130million for one of Europe's most sought-after talents. This player, however, is believed not to be Haaland.
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While City supporters can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being, Haaland has publicly stated he would represent Leeds. Haaland's father, Alf-Inge, played for the Yorkshire club between 1997 and 2000.
Haaland was born in Leeds as a result and is reportedly even a supporter of Daniel Farke's team. Speaking back in 2017 to Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten while playing for Molde, Haaland said: "I want to be the best. The dream is to win the Premier League with Leeds. In addition, the goal is to be a better player than Dad was."
In 2022, Haaland chose not to celebrate after netting twice at Elland Road as City secured a 3-1 victory. After the match, Haaland said: "With my father in the (stands) over there, it's special,. I am happy today, it's a really special moment in my career... It's my craziest fantasy that I could be at Elland Road and score for Manchester City against Leeds."
Erling and Alf-Inge Haaland
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Erling Haaland (L) with his dad Alf-Inge (R)(Image: Getty)
Presidential candidate Riquelme had previously suggested Haaland "has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid." He stated: "If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid."
City quickly dismissed the claims. They responded: "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's father, Alf-Inge, alongside his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, issued a joint statement declaring: "All very entertaining but not true."
Perez subsequently moved to ease City's concerns. He remarked: "On Tuesday or so, I'm going to make an offer to a major Champions League club for a great player.
"It would be the largest transfer fee Real Madrid has ever paid in its history. [Michael, Bayern Munich] Olise is a great player, but it's not Olise. It's not [Jeremy, Man City] Doku either. We're going to make a significant offer, at least around 150m. He needs to be a player from midfield who can go forward. And it's not Haaland.
"The player is not from the Premier League. And the first thing we'll do is talk to the club. It's a signing meant to generate excitement because that's what it's all about, generating excitement."
Perez also dismissed the possibility of it being Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane. While French international Olise is widely believed to be Madrid's primary transfer target, the Spanish club's president appears to face a considerable battle to secure the former Crystal Palace winger.
Erling Haaland reacts towards the Leeds United fans at full time
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Erling Haaland reacts towards the Leeds United fans at full time(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Bayern president Herbert Hainer told BILD: "Michael Olise is an FC Bayern Munich player who still has a long contract - and we are not a selling club. If Florentino Perez wants to send us an offer – which has not been the case so far – he can save himself."
The club's honorary president Uli Hoeness has also remarked of Madrid's returning head coach Jose Mourinho: "He can cast five eyes on Olise, he can't get it. It remains unsellable."
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Haaland joined City from Borussia Dortmund in May 2022 for just over £50m. During his time there, he has claimed two Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and the League Cup, alongside three Premier League Golden Boot awards.
It appears he won't be departing any time soon, Leeds included. In January 2025, the prolific striker penned a record-breaking nine-and-a-half-year deal at City. Having previously been contracted to the Etihad Stadium until 2027, he is now committed to the club until 2034.