How have Manchester City reacted to Real Madrid candidate Riquelme’s Haaland claims?
Although not a surprise because they knew the candidate’s intentions, City were forced to call Haaland’s representatives to have them clarify the situation.
Manchester City’s position is crystal clear: Erling Haaland is their player, he’s under contract, and there is not the slightest intention of letting him leave. Despite Enrique Riquelme’s public pledge to sign the Norwegian if he’s elected Real Madrid president, the club remains calm and fully focused on building a powerhouse squad around Haaland as its centerpiece starting next season.
City aware of Riquelme’s Haaland interest
That said, Riquelme’s statement of intent did not sit well at the Etihad. Seeing him pose in a Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name and the No. 9 sparked movement behind the scenes. As Diario AS has learned, City’s director of football, Hugo Viana, held a phone conversation with Haaland’s camp shortly after the incident. He clarified the situation and agreed that the best course of action was to issue a public statement. It arrived within two hours and left little room for interpretation: “All very entertaining, but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
For about a week, City had been aware of attempts by Riquelme’s team to approach Haaland. Even so, the club did not expect him to go as far as publicly declaring on a television program that he would sign the Norwegian - going so far as to promise that if he failed, he would personally cover the cost of every Madrid season ticket holder’s membership.
In any case, Pep Guardiola’s departure as City head coach ushers in an uncertain future for several players at the club. Haaland is among them, with his release clause now reactivated following Guardiola’s exit. As previously reported by this newspaper, that clause has always been tied to the Catalan’s presence on the bench. Change is in the air in Manchester, but the priority remains holding on to their cornerstone stars - Haaland chief among them. That’s why the club reacted so swiftly to Riquelme’s declarations and promises regarding their striker.
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