Manchester City shuts down Riquelme's promise for Haaland

Real Madrid C.F.

The English club's stance leaves no room for doubt. Haaland is under contract and City is working on the idea of building the new project around him starting next season.

Riquelme's public statement, which even saw him pose in a Real Madrid shirt bearing the Norwegian's name and the number 9, triggered an immediate response in Manchester. Hugo Viana, City sporting director, called the player's camp to clarify the situation and agree on a joint response.

The statement sent to AS was particularly forceful: “The stories that have emerged from Spain about Erling Haaland's future are false. There is no possibility of this happening and there is no contractual clause that would allow it. We are considering legal action over the use of our player's image in this context”.

City denies any route out

The club had known for days about Riquelme's team's moves to get closer to Haaland, although it did not expect the candidate to make it public on television. In that appearance, Riquelme said he would sign the attacker and added that, if he did not deliver, he would pay out of his own pocket for the season tickets of all Madrid supporters.

Two hours after those remarks, another response came from City, also reported by AS: “All very entertaining, but it's not true. We wish both candidates luck in the elections for Real Madrid”.

The future of the English side is entering a period of change following Guardiola's departure, with several major names under watch. Among them is Haaland, whose release clause, despite the version defended by City, would be reactivated once the coach leaves. In Manchester, though, the goal is still to keep hold of its main figures, starting with the Norwegian striker.