Manchester City are considering legal action after a candidate in Real Madrid’s presidential election claimed he would sign striker Erling Haaland if elected.
Real Madrid presidential hopeful Enrique Riquelme, who is contesting against current president Florentino Perez ahead of Sunday’s election, made the remarks during an appearance on Spanish television programme El Hormiguero on Wednesday night.
During the interview, Riquelme claimed Haaland has a release clause and is interested in joining the Spanish giants. He also displayed a Real Madrid shirt bearing the inscription ‘Haaland 9’.
Riquelme, who also vowed to bring Haaland’s Manchester City teammate Rodri to the Santiago Bernabeu, said, “If I break my promises regarding either of these players, I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100 per cent of membership costs for next season.
“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”
However, Sky Sports reported that Manchester City swiftly dismissed the claims, insisting there is “no chance” the Norwegian forward will leave the club anytime soon. The Premier League champions also confirmed they are weighing legal action over the use of Haaland’s image during the campaign stunt.
A City spokesperson said in a statement: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Haaland remains contracted to Manchester City until the summer of 2034, while his agent Rafaela Pimenta and father Alfie Haaland reportedly dismissed suggestions linking the striker with a move to Madrid.
In a joint statement issued early Thursday morning, they said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”
Meanwhile, incumbent Real Madrid president Florentino Perez also made headlines on Wednesday night after hinting at a possible return for Jose Mourinho as manager if re-elected next Sunday.
Perez shared a video on X featuring Mourinho wearing a Real Madrid shirt and saying: “Yes”, while the accompanying caption read: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”
