Erling Haaland is one of the most talked-about players in the Premier League – and it’s easy to see why.
The Manchester City striker has netted a ridiculous 25 goals in just 19 appearances – nine more than Tottenham’s three-time Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, who has even featured in two more matches.
As you’d expect, the 22-year-old’s future is often the subject of much speculation, with the likes of Real Madrid obviously very keen on one day signing the Norwegian, and the striker admitting – via his dad – that he too would one day like to try his hand elsewhere.
So with that in mind, here are three of the biggest stories surrounding Haaland and his future in recent months.
The release clause
Haaland put pen to paper on a five-year deal with Man City in the summer transfer window.
On paper, it sounds perfect for the Premier League champions as they can, in theory, keep the forward at the club until he’s at least 27. But, of course, there is a catch.
Man
As reported by The Athletic, Haaland has a €200million (£175.5m) release clause inserted into his contract, which comes into play after two years, in the summer of 2024.
The value of the release clause then declines as the Norwegian reaches the end of his Man City contract, encouraging interested clubs to make a move to sign Haaland.
Of course, if a release clause is triggered, it doesn’t mean to say that that player is going to leave, but it will enable Haaland to hold talks with a new side. Additionally, £175.5m is a big expense, so, at the very least, City will make money on their investment.
But it won’t deter the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain from making a move – with the latter famously splashing more than that amount on Neymar back in 2017.
Man City exit plan
Haaland hasn’t addressed his own dreams for the future in the press, but his dad Alf-Inge has done so on his behalf on more than one occasion
Speaking on the documentary ‘Haaland: The Big Decision’, Alf-Inge previously said: “I think Erling wants to prove his abilities in all leagues. Then he can stay there [Manchester City] for three or four years at the most. 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?”.
He added: “On our list, I think City is the best team,” he said. “[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. Liverpool and Chelsea. Also, there is Barcelona. They are sort of in the same row.”
He later told France Football: “My impression is that he wants to demonstrate that he can win at any of the big leagues. He was in Germany for two-and-a-half years and he could do something like that in the future.
“Staying in the Premier League for three years and then going to Italy, Spain or France. There’s nothing firm about it, but it’s a possibility because Erling is capable of being a winner in any team.”
Currently, it’s clear Haaland is happy at the Etihad and isn’t planning on going anywhere, but it certainly seems that he will part company with City at some point.
Dressing room burden
And that brings us to the final big story involving Haaland and transfers.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl knows only too well how difficult it can be to deal with a transfer involving such a high-profile figure having overseen the Norwegian’s exit to Man City.
Kehl claims the whole situation resulted in Haaland becoming something of a “burden” on the dressing room – something City may have to deal with when his release clause kicks in.
Kehl told German publication Sport Bild: “As much as we always loved Haaland and he was successful with us, in the end, he became a burden on the dressing room, the club and the whole environment.
“He had become the subject of every conversation. Outside the club, almost everything was exclusively focused on him. In the end, the timing of the transfer was right for both parties. And we are all happy for Erling that he continues to be so successful.”
Source: mirror.co.uk
