Change in Erling Haaland’s release clause

Bad news for clubs dreaming of signing Erling Haaland, who is currently the best striker in the world, in the not too distant future.

After his display last Tuesday with Manchester City in the Champions League against Leipzig, a match in which he scored five goals, there has been renewed speculation in Madrid about the Norwegian's possible signing for the club in 2024, a year in which the player would have an escape clause in his contract.

However, according to journalist Oriol Domènech on Catalunya Ràdio's 'Tot Costa' programme, that clause has changed. It will not be until one year later, in 2025, when the Norwegian will have the possibility of leaving Manchester City as long as they pay 200 million euros for him.

The reason for this variation in the clause was already signed in the contract that the player and the club signed last summer. It stated that at the time Pep Guardiola extended his contract, Haaland's clause could not take effect until 2025.

The Santpedor-born boss renewed his contract with Manchester City last November. He did so until 2025 and automatically Haaland's future was linked to Guardiola's.

Haaland is the missing piece to make Manchester City the favourites to win the Champions League. The Norwegian, who on Tuesday equalled Messi and Luiz Adriano as the only players to score five goals in a Champions League match, is having an excellent season in his Premier League debut. He has 39 goals in 36 games for Manchester City in all competitions.