Erling Haaland is facing an uncertain future after the Manchester City verdict.
Erling Haaland has been linked with a potential move away from the club
Erling Haaland has been linked with a potential move away from the club (Image: Getty)
Erling Haaland suddenly faces an uncertain future after Manchester City were found guilty on 114 of the 115 charges levelled against them by the Premier League. The bombshell verdict has fuelled speculation about a possible mass exodus at the Etihad Stadium, especially if City are booted out of the Premier League altogether. In that scenario, Haaland could be among the first to leave the club.
He is one of the most lethal strikers in world football and would have no shortage of top clubs queuing up for his signature. However, the prospect of a cut-price deal for the Norwegian striker appears to be slim, even if City are consigned to the lower leagues. That's because no relegation release clause exists in his contract, according to Spanish outlet Sport.
Such clauses typically allow players to leave their clubs for a heavily reduced price if they suffer relegation. However, in the case of Haaland, potential suitors might still be forced to pay a premium in exchange for his services.
Last year, he signed an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year deal at the Etihad Stadium, keeping him there until the summer of 2024.
It was rumoured that his previous contract had a clause that would have allowed him to join Real Madrid for a set price. However, this was believed to have been wide of the mark, and there is definitely no such clause in his current deal.
In all likelihood, Haaland's future will depend on any punishment handed down to City. If their guilty verdict is upheld, they could be fined, docked points or even kicked out of the Premier League altogether.
Dan Plumley, a football finance specialist and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University, believes a significant points deduction would be the most likely scenario.
Although this would see City avoid being expelled from the Premier League automatically, they could still be relegated if the deduction is sufficiently large.
There is no relegation release clause in the Norwegian striker's contract
There is no relegation release clause in the Norwegian striker's contract (Image: Getty)
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Plumley said: "It is really difficult to predict what any outcome could be, as there is no precedent. We will always be in the realms of speculation until we know.
"But if I were to speculate, I would suggest that a points deduction and fine would be most likely, with relegation and title stripping being the extreme, but unlikely, scenarios."
When pressed on a potential timescale for an appeal, he added: "It is tricky to tell on timeframe linked to appeal as it could keep going on and on. It depends on what the verdict is and then what either side would do next.
"But both parties have the right to appeal, and we have certainly already heard noises from City in the past that they would look to appeal and tie the Premier League up in litigation.
"These things are never straightforward, and you are dealing with power and egos too in the middle of this, which cannot be ignored."