Manchester City have threatened legal action following claims by Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme that Erling Haaland wants to join the Spanish club. Speaking on Spanish TV show El Hormiguero, Riquelme stated Haaland has a release clause and desires a move to the Bernabeu, holding up a Real Madrid shirt with "Haaland 9" printed on the back. He also pledged to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, offering to cover 100 per cent of membership fees for the next season if he fails to deliver on either signing.
Manchester City swiftly dismissed the claims. A club statement said there is "no chance" Haaland will leave the Etihad Stadium and confirmed there is no contractual clause allowing such a transfer. The club added it is considering legal action over the use of Haaland's image in the televised segment. Haaland, 25, is under contract until the summer of 2034. His agent, Rafaela Pimenta, and father, Alfie Haaland, issued a joint statement early Thursday, calling the reports "very entertaining but not true," and wished both candidates well in the Real Madrid election.
Current Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, running for re-election against Riquelme, responded indirectly with a post on X featuring Jose Mourinho wearing a Real Madrid shirt and saying "Yes." The post included a caption reading: "Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made." The presidential election will take place on Sunday.
A candidate promising to sign Haaland and Rodri with a personal guarantee reveals more about campaign theatrics than football reality. Manchester City's immediate dismissal and legal threat expose the claims as ungrounded, with no clause existing for Haaland's exit. No Nigerian or African player was involved in the incident.
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