Real Madrid News
Manchester City’s plan to protect Haaland from Real Madrid’s interest – report
Erling Haaland is breaking every kind of record there is during his first season in the Premier League. With 28 goals in 26 matches, the Norwegian has almost single-handedly helped Manchester City keep up with Arsenal in the race for the league title.
However, despite the player having a contract until 2027 at Etihad, his future at the club is far from secure. There is a release clause embedded in the contract that would allow the non-Premier League to sign him for just €200 million.
The clause can be activated from 2024 onwards, though recent reports suggest it was extended to 2025 when Pep Guardiola signed a new contract.
Real Madrid are the club that have shown the most concrete interest in meeting this release clause, knowing Haaland has what it takes to help the club recoup the investment.
However, according to Diario SPORT, Manchester City have no intention of offloading Haaland anytime soon and wants to safeguard his future at Etihad by taking several measures, including a hike in salary.
Haaland currently earns around €425,000 per week at Etihad – the same as playmaker Kevin de Bruyne. However, Man City are planning to increase his salary to around €570,000, which would make him the highest-paid player at the club.
The Premier League giants are hoping that the hike in salary would convince Haaland to remain at Etihad and not move to Real Madrid or any other club.
However, it must be noted that Haaland’s decision may rely heavily on how Man City’s success in both domestic and European competitions.
The club are lagging behind Arsenal in the league title this season, while a surprise elimination from the Champions League may also demotivate the Norwegian.
Speaking to the media, Brazil Football Confederations (CBF) president Ednaldo Rodrigues has claimed that the Selecao have not given up on their pursuit of Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, despite the Italian stating that he will not leave the club.
Brazil have been without a manager since the World Cup in Qatar last year, following which Tite stepped down. The CBF have made Ancelotti their top target and have been pursuing his signing for months but to no avail.
The 63-year-old Italian tactician has, on more than one occasion, made it clear that he will be at Real Madrid next season, with his contract expiring in 2024.
However, CBF president Rodrigues is adamant that Ancelotti’s statements are due to him being cautious as he is under contract at Real Madrid and that the Selecao are not prepared to give up on their quest to appoint him as of yet.
“We made a plan, that ‘Plan A’ is the one you know, Ancelotti, and as they say in the ‘ring’ (boxing), I haven’t thrown in the towel yet,” Rodrigues said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“Because of contracts, people are cautious,” he added.
Ancelotti, for his part, has repeatedly stated that he does not intend to leave Real Madrid unless he is forced out of the club.
Despite missing out on the La Liga and the UEFA Champions League titles last season, the club continue to back the veteran Italian and are planning for next season with him in charge.
So, despite Rodrigues’ confidence and perseverance, it is extremely unlikely that Ancelotti will be leaving Real Madrid for Brazil this summer.
