City Reject Haaland Exit Talk After Presidential Pledge

Manchester City have dismissed the suggestion that Erling Haaland will move to Real Madrid, after a candidate in the Spanish club's presidential election unveiled a Haaland shirt on live television. The Premier League champions on Friday made clear they consider the transfer talk unfounded, despite the public pledge.

Context of the Claim

The candidate, still to be named in recent reports, appeared on a Spanish TV programme holding a Real Madrid shirt with Haaland's name and number. The gesture was aimed at winning votes in the upcoming presidential election, a contest that often features grandiose promises to land superstars. Haaland, 24, has been at City since July 2022, scoring 52 goals in 53 Premier League appearances and helping the club win back-to-back titles.

City's response was swift and dismissive. Sources close to the Etihad hierarchy have emphasised that Haaland remains central to their plans and that no contact from Real Madrid has been received or solicited. The club's stance reflects a broader policy of resisting pressure over their star assets.

Impact on Transfer Market and FPL

Haaland's current market value is estimated at around £180 million, a fee that would make him the most expensive player in history. However, City's firm position suggests they are not prepared to negotiate, particularly mid-season. In Fantasy Premier League, Haaland is owned by 62% of managers and is priced at £14.0 million. His upcoming fixtures include Wolverhampton Wanderers (H), Aston Villa (A), and Manchester United (H), making him a must-have for title-chasing managers.

  • City have won 7 of their last 8 matches in all competitions, with Haaland scoring 11 times in that run.
  • The club's board has consistently refused to sell key players to European rivals, as seen with Bernardo Silva's protracted transfer saga in 2023.
  • If Haaland were to leave, City would likely pursue a replacement in the £100 million-plus bracket, with players like Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane mentioned in speculative reports.

Historical Precedent and What's Next

Presidential candidates at Real Madrid have a long history of promising marquee signings to win votes. Florentín Pérez's first campaign in 2000 was built on the promise to sign Luís Figo, a pledge he delivered on. More recently, in 2022, candidate Enrique Cerezo made similar claims about Kylian Mbappé, which ultimately did not materialise. The Haaland shirt stunt fits this pattern of electioneering rather than genuine transfer intent.

Manchester City are currently preparing for a crucial Premier League run, sitting three points clear of Liverpool at the top. Haaland's agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has not commented publicly. With the January transfer window now closed, any potential move must wait until the summer. However, City's unequivocal rejection makes a 2025 departure highly improbable. The focus now returns to the pitch, where Haaland's goals remain the bedrock of City's trophy ambitions.

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