Man City threatens legal action over Madrid presidential candidate’s promise to sign Haaland

Manchester City are reportedly preparing legal action after a Real Madrid presidential candidate announced he would sign Erling Haaland if elected.

Enrique Riquelme, who is running against current president Florentino Pérez in the upcoming vote, claimed on the Spanish TV show El Hormiguero on Wednesday night that Haaland has a release clause and is eager to join the Bernabéu. He also displayed a Real shirt with “Haaland 9” on the back.

Riquelme, who also pledged to sign City teammate Rodri, 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.” He added, “Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”

According to Sky Sports, Manchester City responded swiftly, stating that there is “no chance” Haaland will leave the Etihad Stadium anytime soon. The club also said it is considering legal action over the shirt stunt.

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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 is under contract at the Etihad until the summer of 2034, and his agent Rafaela Pimenta and his father Alfie Haaland dismissed suggestions that the 25‑year‑old could soon be heading to the Spanish capital. A joint statement released early Thursday morning said: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections.”

Meanwhile, current Real president Florentino Pérez made his own election pledge on Wednesday night, seemingly confirming Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid as manager if he wins the presidential election on Sunday. Pérez posted a video on X in which Mourinho appears in a Real shirt saying: “Yes,” while the accompanying text read: “Meanwhile, on TV, they just keep talking and talking and talking. So much history to be made.”