Manchester City moving to extend Erling Haaland deal to fend off Real Madrid interest

Manchester City are reportedly planning to hold contract talks with star striker Erling Haaland in the coming months.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a remarkable record-breaking debut campaign with the Citizens last season after joining the club from Borussia Dortmund for £51m in the summer of 2022.

Haaland was a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s machine that celebrated winning a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 2022-23, scoring 52 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions.

The Norwegian has since carried his impressive goalscoring form into the new campaign, netting eight times in seven Premier League games to help Man City climb to the top-flight summit.

Haaland still has four years remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, but that has not stopped the rumour mill linking the striker with a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Los Blancos were unable to lure Haaland to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, but that are said to still hold an interest in the striker and may step up their pursuit in 2024.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are also long-term admirer of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe and they are said to have ambitions of linking up the Frenchman with Haaland in the future.

Real Madrid are expected to prioritise the addition of a new centre-forward in the next two transfer windows after parting ways with club legend Karim Benzema in the summer.

In a bid to fend off Real Madrid’s interest in Haaland, a report by Jack Gaughan of MailSport claims that Man City are pushing to open talks with the Scandinavian over a new and improved contract.

Jack Gaughan states that it is ‘likely’ that a potential release clause will be discussed as Manchester City seek an agreement with Erling Haaland and his entourage over a new and improved contract at the Etihad Stadium.

It is further detailed that two release clauses had been initially added into Haaland’s first contract at Manchester City – one of which was dependant on Pep Guardiola’s future before the Catalan coach signed a new deal with the club in November 2022.

Any prospect of a release clause is likely to leave La Liga giants FC Barcelona and Real Madrid watching intently, as the two clubs hold Erling Haaland in the highest regard and retain hope in one day seeing the Norwegian at their respective clubs.

For now however, there is no feeling of wanting to move on from the part of Erling Haaland, who is understood to be hugely happy with both his lifestyle in Manchester and commitments to the reigning Premier League champions on and off the pitch.

Haaland, who is strong contender to win the 2023 Ballon d’Or along with World Cup winner Lionel Messi, will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet when Man City travel to the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.