Manchester City

Manchester City

Premier League • England

Erling Haaland: Key issue over striker still unresolved as agent muddies the water over Man City star’s future plans

Erling Haaland, Man City striker, during Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Etihad

The agent of Erling Haaland, Rafaela Pimenta, wants to protect the striker from the media and refused to reveal whether he has a release clause in his contract.

Haaland, 22, has exceeded expectations since arriving at the Etihad Stadium during the summer. Having scored goals for fun everywhere he has played, the Norway international has continued in the same vein for City. The former Borussia Dortmund ace has bagged a staggering 18 times from just 13 Premier League appearances.

And he has found the net on 23 occasions in all competitions. The Scandinavian has also become the first player in Premier League history to score three successive home hat-tricks.

The £51m that City paid Dortmund seems a snip given the current transfer fees.

All the top clubs would love to have the powerful forward in their ranks. And the Norwegian’s future has been the subject of many column inches in recent times.

Questions have been asked as to whether he has a release clause specific to Real Madrid in his contract.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently denied Los Blancos have any involvement in his deal.

Pimenta was given a platform to clear up the matter. But, speaking with Marca, she preferred to talk around the subject.

“You have to do it (ask the question) and it is very interesting,” she said. “If we don’t say anything, surely something is interpreted and if we say something, too.

“As a lawyer, I know that I can’t say anything, but I also know that if I don’t say it, they will say it.

“It’s a very nice thing [the rumours], but I hope there aren’t too many. I understand the attention, the curiosity that arouses. It’s the novelty.”

Haaland needs protection from media spotlight

Reports claim Haaland has a £172m release clause that will become active in 2024. However, it has been said that falls to £150m the following year.

It seems unlikely that Real are part of the clause after Guardiola’s words.

But Pimenta has made it clear that her priority is to make sure the superstar is not exposed to too much media scrutiny.

“Curiosity is normal, but I hope with Erling, when there are no things to say, they don’t make them up,” she added.

“This is something that is happening. They look for easy clicks. There is exaggerated news.

“Haaland must be protected from this situation because he is a very young boy who still has to grow up.

“Everything is news around him, but it has to be because of his goals and his way of playing. I don’t want other things to come.”

Haaland enjoying well-earned break

Despite being arguably the top striker in world football at present, Haaland will play no part in the upcoming World Cup.

Norway failed to qualify for the Qatar showpiece and the former Red Bull Salzburg hitman can recharge his batteries over the next month.

Non-League Ashton United claim to have put in a bid to take him on loan during the hiatus.

That seems unlikely to happen. Haaland struggled with a niggling injury just prior to the enforced break.

But opposition sides will be fearful of his return over the festive season when back to full fitness.

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