The Athletic’s Pol Ballus has revealed that Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has a release clause within his current contract that will allow clubs outside of England to acquire his services for £175.5 million.
The clause does not come into effect until the summer of 2024, which would still give City two full seasons of the 22-year-olds services. The value of the release clause then decreases each year for the remainder of the striker’s current contract.
Erling Haaland’s Manchester City Contract Revealed to Contain a Release Clause
🔵 Erling Haaland has a €200m release clause from the summer of 2024
🔵 Figure decreases as his five-year deal contract nears its end
🔵 Applies to clubs outside PL only
🔵 Buying club would need to pay agent fees + bonuses on top📝 @polballus https://t.co/AEANUgARik
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 11, 2022
Is Haaland Worth the Money?
To say Haaland has had a great start to his Manchester City career would be an egregious understatement. The Norwegian has been firing on all cylinders with 20 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions. He continues to break records in England’s top-flight, as well as in the Champions League and looks to be on pace to shatter the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season, which is currently 34 goals held by both Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.
With 15 goals scored in nine games, Haaland is almost halfway there to breaking the record with less than a quarter of the games played for the campaign. In a league that has seen the likes of Thierry Henry, Alan Shearer and Cristiano Ronaldo grace its pitches, it’s incredible to witness Haaland’s show.
It’s safe to say then that even at the price of £175 million, many clubs will be interested in adding the Leeds-born striker to their ranks.
Which Clubs Could Come Knocking?
The Athletic highlight Real Madrid and Barcelona as two clubs that could potentially be gearing themselves up for an approach for the Norway international in 2024. Real Madrid are in the process of signing 34-year-old Karim Benzema to a contract extension that will see the France international depart the Santiago Bernabeu the same summer that Haaland’s release clause would kick in.
Barcelona on the other hand have just signed their own 34-year-old striker in Robert Lewandowski, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer. Lewandowski signed a contract that will see him at the Nou Camp until 2026 when he will be 38 years old. Therefore, the Catalan club could be swayed to trying to make a deal for Haaland when the opportunity arises, that is if the finances allow it.
Concerning finances, the deal is likely to far exceed the quoted value of the release clause once bonus and agent fees are factored in. When City triggered Haaland’s release clause of £51 million from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, the deal rose to around £85 million, once all fees and bonuses were added.
Therefore, whichever club comes knocking in 2024 will be expected to break out the chequebook if they want the “world-class goal machine” playing for their side.
Great afternoon at the Etihad today! 🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/OvYHCO9NKv
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) October 8, 2022
