Erling Haaland has enjoyed an electric start to life at Manchester City.
The Norwegian only arrived at the Etihad Stadium during the summer window in a £51m switch from Borussia Dortmund and already has scored an astounding 20 goals in just 13 appearances in all competitions. That includes three hat-tricks in the Premier League, against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and fierce rivals Manchester United.
There has been concern that the summer signing could move on from the reigning Premier League champions sooner rather than later however, amid recent reports that a £175m release clause had been written into the five-year deal that he signed. His father, Alf-Inge, also admitted that the striker may only stay in England for up to a couple of seasons.
Pep Guardiola remains calm on the future of his new No.9. Asked about reports over a release clause at the weekend, the Spanish schemer replied: "It is not true. He does not have a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team.
“Rumours, people talk. We have to be worried about what we can control. I have the feeling he is very happy here and we will try to make people happy here. He is settled perfectly, incredibly beloved."
However, the claims of the Catalan may not be entirely correct as links to Real Madrid continue to persist.
According to The Athletic, in line with previous reports, Haaland does indeed have a €200million (£175.5m) release clause written into his contract with City.
That clause becomes active in 2024 at that figure, but the £175m then decreases as the forward’s contract edges towards its conclusion. That opens up the possibility of clubs poaching Haaland away from City, a deal is not as straightforward as first perceived.
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The clause written into the 21-year-old’s deal only applies to clubs outside of England, meaning that any of City's Premier League rivals would still have to negotiate with City and, likely, pay a fee in excess of what is written in his deal. That figure doesn't include potential additional bonuses, Haaland's huge wages - he earns £375k-a-week at City right now - or agent fees.
Of course, it does leave them vulnerable to admirers like Real Madrid, who have been backed to make a move for Haaland in the future as they attempt to find a successor to the 34-year-old Karim Benzema. The Frenchman will turn 36 in the summer of 2024.
What can't be discounted, particularly given Haaland's stunning start to life in Manchester, is that City may look to offer him a new deal over the course of the next two years - which would potentially allow them to get rid of any release clause in his deal.
