Erling Haaland latest: Date named for Real Madrid transfer as exact details of Man City star’s release clause emerge

Graeme Souness has revealed the date when he expects Erling Haaland to leave Manchester City and complete a transfer to Real Madrid.

The Norwegian striker has taken the Premier League by storm, having scored 15 goals in just nine Premier League appearances. And with five goals to his name already in the Champions League, he now has a goal or assist an incredible 39 minutes for each minute he’s been on he field.

And with a string of records already obliterated by Haaland, the sky is the limit of what he and City can achieve. Safe to say, Manchester City have got themselves a £52m bargain.

However, speculation has already begun to swirl over when Haaland could leave the Etihad. The star’s agent, Mino Raiola – prior to his untimely passing – has long had a career path in mind for the striker. Indeed, Raiola was the one who insisted on exit clause in his deals at both RB Salzburg and then Borussia Dortmund.

As such, reports claim a deal is also in place that presents Real Madrid with a unique chance to land Haaland in 2024. Pep Guardiola, however, has moved to dampen those claims and is adamant that such a clause does not exist.

Nonetheless, speculation over Haaland’s next move continues to swirl and Souness does not think his stay at Manchester will be for the long term.

Indeed, City were able to nip in and beat Real Madrid to Haaland’s signature over the summer. With their eyes firmly fixed on Kylian Mbappe at the time, it was City who reached an agreement with Dortmund.

But he remains a player very much on their shopping list – and Souness is convinced the move will one day come about.

Erling Haaland to Real Madrid date revealed

Now talkSPORT pundit Souness, in waxing lyrical over Haaland’s qualities, is adamant that move will happen within half a decade.

And while that leaves plenty of time for Premier League audiences to marvel at his greatness, Souness reckons his peak years will be spent in LaLiga.

“I don’t think he has a weakness. He just looks to be the perfect specimen,” Souness said.

“I also have to say he’s in a great team who have the majority of the ball wherever they play, play in the opposition’s half and create lots and lots of chances. I think in four or five years, he’ll end up at Real Madrid.”

Haaland’s deal at the Etihad is due to expire in summer 2027. And a move to Spain then  – possibly at the end of his deal – would see him transfer to Real at the age of 27, when he is coming to the peak of his powers.

Souness, however, reckons Haaland is already playing way beyond someone of the age of 22.

“I think Haaland’s movement and his cuteness for someone so young are easy to overlook,” Souness added. “What catches the eye is his speed and athleticism.

“He’s a 22-year-old playing like someone at the peak of his powers as a 29-year-old striker.”

Erling Haaland release clause

Now The Athletic has revealed that Haaland’s contract does contain a release clause. That becomes active in summer 2024 and is set at £175.4m (€200m).

However, the clause does not apply to any of Manchester City’s domestic rivals – ruling Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea out.

The performances of Haaland have been electric. And it’s little wonder to see Newcastle’s Callum Wilson joke that the Premier League needs to introduce a Premier League silver boot award for rest of the division.

His 15 goals in the competition already – aided by three successive hat-tricks – means he’s already seven clear of the next highest in Harry Kane. Not that the England skipper is giving up hope of catching him.

If Haaland continues scoring at the rate he’s currently at, though, the records will continue to tumble.

Indeed, he is on course to finish the season with around 62 Premier League goals. He could also easily add a further 20 to that tally in the Champions League if City go all the way.

And while the Premier League has boasted some incredible goalscorers over the years, never have we quite seen one like Haaland.

Maybe we ought to give Bournemouth a little credit, though. The Cherries are, surprisingly, the only side not to allow the Norwegian to score against them.

However, as a neutral we will all enjoy him for as long as possible and until that seemingly inevitable transfer to Real Madrid one day goes through.

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