‘You never know’ - Erling Haaland responds to Real Madrid transfer speculation & Man City future

Erling Haaland gave a mixed response when asked about his Manchester City future. The striker, who joined from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £52m in July 2022, has been repeatedly linked with a future move to Real Madrid.

Pep Guardiola was asked about Haaland’s future last month amid reports that the player is not enjoying his time in Manchester and wants to move to the Spanish capital, with the City boss insisting he does not think his star man is unhappy and looking to leave.

Haaland was asked about the speculation on Tuesday, ahead of the Champions League last-16 tie against Copenhagen, and denied he is not enjoying his time at City. However, the 23-year-old hinted he could be interested in another high-profile move at some stage.

“I’m really happy with the people I’m surrounded with: The manager, the directors, the board, they are a group of amazing people,” Haaland explained. “I am really happy, I have to say. 

“If I say this now it will probably be a massive headline, but you never know what the future brings, but I am happy and that’s what I want to do.”

Reports that Haaland has a buy-out clause specifically for Real in his contract have fuelled the speculation on his future, but the Norwegian said he is not considering signing a new deal at present.

“My focus is mainly on the pitch,” the forward told reports on Tuesday. “Two days ago was the Manchester derby and now it is the Champions League, and Sunday is Liverpool, so I think I should focus on that and nothing else at the moment.”