When Manchester City signed Erling Haaland last term, there were specific stipulations in his contract for a €200 million release clause. This clause was set to get triggered at the end of next season as the coach’s contract expired. However, with Pep Guardiola signing a new contract with them, the date might have been postponed. Now, there is a chance that Man City could remove the clause entirely from their contract. Especially considering several clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in the prolific striker.
Manchester City signed Erling Haaland last term from Borussia Dortmund till 2027. He had an amazing season last term with 52 goals in his first season alone with the reigning Premier League champions. When they signed the Norwegian, Cityzens put a €200 million release clause that was set to get triggered before halfway through his deal. However, earlier this year, reports said that the clause would not get triggered until the coach’s contract expires in 2025. However, that status changed as Pep Guardiola signed a contract extension.
Guardiola extended his time for 2 more years with the club in November last year. As his contract expires at the end of the 2024/25 season, Haaland’s release clause was set to kick off at the same time. However, Man City are thinking of removing the clause altogether from the Norwegian’s contract. Haaland’s father said last term that the player would only be in England “for three or four years at the most”. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown interest in the player.
Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta also said once before that Madrid is a “dreamland” for players. Hence, there is a chance that the Norwegian could seek a move to Spain in the coming years. Haaland is an amazing player who was able to take one of football’s toughest leagues by storm in his first season. He won the Premier League Golden Boot award in his maiden season last term. Hence, it’s no wonder that clubs come seeking him. Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl explained expressed Haaland had become a burden at one point.
Former Borussia Dortmund sporting director Kehl previously said about the player, “As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment. He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful.”
Kehl explained that even though Erling Haaland was not at fault, he still became a “dressing room burden”. Haaland has not been able to start this season with the same explosive performance as last season. However, he still has the potential to become one of this generation’s greatests. Hence, it’s only natural that many clubs will come for him in the next few years. The €200 million release clause could ward off interested clubs. Hence, they could benefit more by removing the clause.