- 7 hours ago
Blow for Real Madrid as Haaland close to new Man City contract
Real Madrid and Barcelona have suffered a significant blow in their hopes of signing Erling Haaland as the Man City striker is set to sign a new contract.
According to Give Me Sport, Man City are confident that Haaland will soon pen an extension until 2029.
Discussions are said to be going very well, and City believe it is a formality that the contract will be signed.
Haaland’s current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027 but a new deal will make it difficult for Real Madrid or Barcelona to bring him to La Liga.
It is not clear yet whether Haaland’s €200 million release clause will remain in the new contract.
But it is more good news for Man City after manager Pep Guardiola signed a two-year extension last week.
There have been strong reports in recent weeks that Madrid are preparing to sign Haaland next summer as a replacement for Vinicius Jr, who could leave the club next year.
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Vini Jr's contract with Madrid expires in 2027 and he is not interested in extending. The Brazilian seems open to a new challenge and is also upset that he did not win the Ballon d'Or.
Vinicius Jr is wanted by the Saudi Pro League, as well as Man Utd and PSG.
As for Haaland, he had been tipped to quit Man City at the end of the season for a number of reasons.
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First of all, Haaland never intended to stay at City for the long term when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
This is now his third season and it has been reported that he feels he will have achieved everything he wants to by the end of the current campaign.
Secondly, Pep Guardiola was due to leave City at the end of the season before he signed his new contract.
Thirdly, Man City are currently embroiled in the ‘Trial of the Century’ fighting against 115 charges for alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial rules. Heavy punishments - including relegation - are very possible.
However, Pep has now signed a new contract whilst there is a belief that City will still be very competitive next year whatever their punishment.
Haaland scored an incredible 90 goals in 98 games in his first two seasons at Man City, winning every major trophy in the club game, including two Premier League titles and a Champions League.
He has also started the current season in brilliant form, with 15 goals in 17 matches.