Is Erling Haaland Leaving Manchester City? Why is He Leaving?
by Alaguvelan M
Updated Jun 15, 2023
Who is Erling Haaland?
Erling Haaland, a Norwegian professional footballer, is currently a striker for the Premier League club Manchester City and the Norway national team. Renowned as one of the top players globally, Haaland is celebrated for his speed, strength, exceptional positioning, and clinical finishing skills inside the penalty area.
Born in Leeds, England, Haaland is the son of former Norwegian international footballer Alf-Inge Haaland. He embarked on his senior career at Bryne in 2015 before making a move to Molde in 2017. In January 2019, he joined Red Bull Salzburg in Austria for a transfer fee of €19 million.
Haaland swiftly made a name for himself as one of Europe's most prolific strikers during his time at Salzburg. He netted 29 goals in 27 appearances across all competitions during the 2018-19 season, including 8 goals in 6 Champions League matches. His performances attracted the attention of several elite European clubs, and in January 2020, he joined Borussia Dortmund for a fee of €20 million.
Continuing his goal-scoring prowess at Dortmund, Haaland has impressively found the back of the net 86 times in 89 appearances across all competitions for the club. This includes an impressive tally of 20 goals in 19 Champions League appearances. He was honored as the Bundesliga Player of the Season in 2020-21 and featured in the FIFA FIFPro World11 in 2021 and 2022.
In July 2022, Haaland made a move to Manchester City for a transfer fee of £51 million. He made his debut for the club on August 7, 2022, delivering a hat-trick in a 6-3 victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield.
Throughout his career, Haaland has garnered numerous individual accolades. He secured the Golden Boy award in 2020, the Kniksen Award for Norwegian Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and the IFFHS World's Best Men's Player award in 2021.
At the international level, Haaland has represented Norway. He made his senior team debut in September 2019 and has since scored 20 goals in 21 appearances for the national side. He was recognized as the Norwegian Player of the Year in both 2020 and 2021.
Haaland is widely regarded as one of the most exceptional young talents in the world. His versatility allows him to thrive in various attacking positions. Additionally, his physicality and strength make him a formidable player, while his ability to score goals in diverse ways further enhances his reputation. Haaland is expected to maintain his status as one of Europe's most prolific strikers for many years to come.
Is Erling Haaland Leaving Manchester City?
There is currently no solid evidence indicating that Erling Haaland will be leaving Manchester City. However, there have been reports suggesting his potential interest in joining Real Madrid in the future. It's important to note that Haaland's contract with City extends until 2027, meaning he cannot leave for free until then. Nevertheless, his contract does include a release clause that would allow him to depart for a fee of £150 million in the summer of 2024.
The player has a release clause that would allow him to leave the club in 2024, and there have been reports of Manchester City canceling his release clause or planning his exit. However, there have been no official announcements from the player or the club regarding his departure from Manchester City. It is important to note that transfer rumors and speculation can often be just rumors and speculation, and information should be taken with a grain of salt until there is an official announcement.
Real Madrid has long admired Haaland and would likely pursue his signing if he becomes available. As the Spanish giants haven't won the Champions League since 2018, acquiring Haaland would be a significant achievement for them.
On the other hand, it's also possible for Haaland to remain in City for the long term. He has settled comfortably in Manchester and enjoys playing under Pep Guardiola. Additionally, City is considered one of the frontrunners to win the Champions League this season, providing Haaland with the opportunity to attain the trophy he desires most.
Ultimately, Haaland's future decision rests solely with him. Being one of the most sought-after players in the world, he will have numerous options available if he chooses to part ways with City.
Erling Haaland in Manchester City
Erling Haaland's remarkable goal-scoring spree in his debut Premier League season has prompted Manchester City to discard the previously established release clause in his contract.
This recent development, however, necessitates a revision of the plans put forth by his father, Alf-Inge, several years ago. While Haaland's initial contract included a £150 million release clause set to activate in the summer of 2024, City is now determined to retain the Norwegian talent at the Etihad for as long as possible.
The club's decision to scrap the release clause entirely showcases their unwavering desire to keep Haaland within their ranks. This strategic move aligns with Pep Guardiola's contract extension until 2025, offering reassurance to City supporters that the prolific striker will be donning their colors for at least another two years.
Sources from The Athletic report that City officials are currently formulating an entirely new contract for the former Borussia Dortmund prodigy. If Haaland puts pen to paper, it would mean diverting from the career path his father had envisioned for him.
While Haaland himself has rarely broached the topic of his future publicly, his father has discussed it on multiple occasions. He previously speculated, "He could be, for example, two-and-a-half years in Germany, two-and-a-half years in England, and then in Spain, Italy, France, right?"
Alf-Inge further revealed their preference, stating, "On our list, I think City is the best team. [Bayern] Munich is number two. We have Real Madrid as number three, and Paris Saint-Germain as number four. We also have some English teams other than City who are quite good, such as Liverpool and Chelsea. Additionally, there is Barcelona; they are sort of in the same tier."
Although Haaland is said to be content at City and receptive to negotiations regarding a new deal, the club aims to ensure that his complete focus remains on matters solely on the pitch.
What is Manchester City?
Manchester City, an English professional football club based in Manchester, competes in the Premier League, the top division of English football. Originally established in 1880 as St. Mark's (West Gorton), the club underwent name changes, becoming Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and finally adopting the name Manchester City in 1894. Since 2003, their home ground has been the Etihad Stadium in east Manchester, following their tenure at Maine Road from 1923. The iconic sky blue home shirts were introduced in 1894, coinciding with the club's current name.
Throughout its history, Manchester City has achieved remarkable success, claiming six league titles, including five Premier League titles, six FA Cups, six League Cups, and two European trophies. Their golden era unfolded in the 1960s and 1970s, when they secured three league titles, four FA Cups, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1969.
In recent years, Manchester City has risen to prominence as one of England's most triumphant clubs. They have clinched four Premier League titles in the last five seasons, in addition to two FA Cups and two League Cups. The club's accomplishments have been propelled by their substantial financial resources, allowing them to recruit some of the world's finest players.
Manchester City commands a substantial following and enjoys immense popularity in England. Their passionate fan base ensures that their matches are consistently sold out. Moreover, the club has achieved significant commercial success, boasting one of the highest revenue streams globally.
As an ambitious and successful institution, Manchester City maintains an unwavering commitment to winning trophies and competing at the highest echelons of the sport. They remain a dominant force in both English and European football, and their future endeavors are poised to be equally prosperous
Is Erling Haaland Leaving Manchester City - FAQs
Currently, there is no concrete evidence indicating that Erling Haaland is leaving Manchester City.
There have been some reports suggesting that Erling Haaland could be interested in a future move to another club, such as Real Madrid.
Erling Haaland's contract with Manchester City runs until 2027.
Yes, there is a release clause in Erling Haaland's contract that would allow him to leave for a fee of £150 million in the summer of 2024.
Real Madrid has shown a long-term interest in Erling Haaland and would likely be interested in signing him if he becomes available.