Real Madrid News
Haaland’s agent tight-lipped on Man City release clause amid Real Madrid interest
Speaking in an interview with Corriere della Serra, Rafaela Pimenta, the agent of Manchester City superstar and Real Madrid transfer target Erling Haaland remained coy when asked about the existence of a release clause in his contract.
Haaland has emerged as one of the most destructive strikers in the game of football over the past few seasons. Just 22 years old, the Norwegian international is already regarded as a top superstar and is tipped to scale greater heights.
Haaland left Borussia Dortmund for Manchester City last summer and is thriving in Pep Guardiola’s side, plundering 49 goals from just 43 matches in all competitions.
Real Madrid have had their eyes on Haaland for some time now and are understood to have made him their top target for 2024, as a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema.
It has been widely reported that the Norwegian international has a release clause worth around €180-200 million in his Manchester City which will become active in 2024. It has been reported that the clause is only applicable for clubs outside the Premier League.
However, some media outlets have denied the existence of such a provision in his deal, while there have also been claims that the clause became null and void after Guardiola renewed his contract with the Cityzens.
Reports in Spain, though, continue to insist that Haaland’s contract has a release clause and it is in no way linked with Guardiola’s extension.
When quizzed about the same during the interview, Pimenta, who took over as Haaland’s agent after the passing of Mino Raiola, remained coy and said: “Good ladies know when to keep quiet.”
Talking about Haaland in general and the excitement he has generated, Pimenta backed the 22-year-old for greatness, claiming that he will become the first footballer whose worth will be €1 billion.
“I tell you not how much he costs, but how much he is worth: he will be the first footballer to be worth a billion. Think of the turnover he generates, at only 22 years old: trophies, sponsors, marketing, social, content,” said Pimenta.
“How much can he bring to a club? Not only in the so-called real world, but also in the digital one. He will be the first champion of the metaverse. The future is there.”
Talking about what makes Haaland so special, she added: “He has everything: strength, humility. But his real strength is normality. His secret is his family: his father, a former footballer, has helped him a lot. He will break all records.”
After three successive wins to start the season, a 1-0 loss to Real Betis came as a reality check for Real Madrid, who are still some way off matching the quality and consistency of Barcelona.
In light of the defeat, the Real Madrid coaching staff is analysing the best way to get the most out of the current setup.
More expected from Valverde
According to Defensa Central, one of the key conclusions drawn from the Betis defeat is that Real Madrid need greater involvement from Federico Valverde with the ball.
The Uruguayan has been deployed as the pivot, largely due to the absence of the injured Aurelien Tchouameni, but he is yet to make the step up in quality the team requires from that role.
While his effort and commitment are never in doubt, Mourinho and his staff, led by Sami Khedira, feel Valverde spends too much time positioned behind the opposition’s midfield line.
As a result, he fails to offer passing lanes to his teammates when they are under pressure, forcing them into hurried, aimless clearances rather than playing out cleanly from the back.
That concern has already been communicated to Valverde, who is still adapting to a position he has never truly played, making the challenge all the more difficult for him.
A collective issue to fix
However, the problem is not Valverde’s alone, with the coaching staff identifying a wider issue in the team’s structure.
Khedira has reportedly noted a certain passivity from the attackers in the videos of the match, particularly Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe, when it comes to offering themselves as the ball transitions from midfield into attacking areas.
That lack of movement compounds the difficulties for the deeper midfielders.
Mourinho, for his part, remains unfazed by the departure of Rodri to Barcelona, insisting his squad has the tools to cope.
“I’m not missing Rodri. We have solutions, we have quality,” the Portuguese said, before adding that he backs his ability to improve players.
With a Champions League opener against Inter Milan on the horizon, Mourinho and his staff will be keen to iron out these issues quickly.
Robert Keay
April 30, 2023 at 5:22 am
Haaland is best Young player ever seen and he’s going break every record in world of football he got be world experience player in world