Erling Haaland has enjoyed a remarkable first campaign with Man City in the Premier League.
Erling Haaland has sensationally asked lawyers to bring forward the release clause in his Manchester City contract ahead of a potential blockbuster summer transfer to Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain. The 22-year-old has a huge £175m ‘exit clause’ that kicks into his City deal in the summer of 2024.
However, according to Spanish publication Defensa Central, it is claimed that Haaland has not ‘tuned in’ to Pep Guardiola’s methods. That is despite the striker scoring 31 goals in just 28 games since arriving from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
He believes that his best qualities are not being exploited under the Spaniard. Real Madrid present a better opportunity for the Norway starlet to continue improving, with the 35-year-old Karim Benzema coming to the end of his time at the top of European football.
Haaland has therefore requested that his exit clause be moved forward a year. That would give him the opportunity to join the Spanish giants this coming summer rather than in 2024.
Erling Haaland has reportedly asked lawyers to bring forward his Man City release clause (Image: Getty)
Possible sanctions imposed on City for alleged financial irregularities is also playing in Haaland’s mind. On Monday, the Premier League referred its reigning champions to an independent commission and passed on 100 alleged breaches of its financial regulations to be investigated.
Should they find City guilty, the independent commission has the power to impose sanctions ranging from a fine, a points deduction, or possible expulsion from the league. Haaland would want to get away should the latter punishment occur.
Erling Haaland has not naturally fitted into Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s system (Image: Getty)
That is despite enjoying a remarkable debut campaign at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland has bagged 25 league goals in just 20 appearances and is on course to win the golden boot in his first year in the English top-flight.
He has already struck 31 times in all competitions and has his eyes on winning City a first Champions League. However, there has been vast criticism of his performances in the biggest games of the season.
Haaland was anonymous in last weekend’s defeat by Tottenham, outshined by a record-breaking Harry Kane. He also struggled in last month’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford, with United coming from behind to win 2-1 under controversial circumstances.
Man City told they should start on ‘minus’ points if found guilty of Premier League charges
The Premier League charged Manchester City with dozens of alleged financial breaches on Monday
Gabby Agbonlahor has demanded Manchester City receive a points deduction if they are found to have breached financial rules.
City were charged by the Premier League with over 100 alleged breaches on Monday, following an investigation looking as far back as the 2009/2010 season. The Blues are alleged to have breached league rules requiring provision “in utmost good faith” of “accurate financial information that gives a true and fair view of the club’s financial position” – accusations that the club vehemently deny.
The charges will be reviewed by an independent panel, with potential punishments ranging from a small fine to docked points or even expulsion from the Premier League. And Agbonlahor believes that if the charges are found to be true, the Premier League should throw the book at City with the strongest possible sanctions.
“When I first heard it I was a bit shocked,” Agbonlahor told TalkSPORT. “I thought surely clubs would be more clever with what they’re doing, you can’t get away with anything now in football.
“The Premier League would have been on Man City, doing their research on what they’ve done. Now they could end up starting next season with 14, 15 points deduction.
“You’ve seen this season it’s happened with Juventus in Serie A. They lost points, now they probably won’t qualify for the Champions League.
“I don’t want to see a £50m fine, I don’t want to see that because they’ll pay that out of their wallet. I want to see points deductions and if it takes a few months to go through, then the start of next season they start on minus.”
Source: express.co.uk; manchestereveningnews.co.uk
