'Sorry, can you tell me again?!' - Pep Guardiola reveals shock at learning length of Erling Haaland's new 10-year Man City contract

Two-time Premier League Golden Boot winner Haaland, who helped City to a historic treble triumph during his debut campaign in England, has penned a new 10-year deal through to the summer of 2034. He will be 34 by the time that those terms come to a close.

City’s stunning agreement appears to have brought unwelcome transfer talk around Haaland to a close, with there no longer a release clause in his contract. Even those at the Etihad Stadium were a little surprised to learn that the Norway international was committing his future to the club for quite so long.

Guardiola told Sky Sports when discussing Haaland’s new deal and his reaction to it: "When Ferran [Soriano] told me, I said ‘sorry, can you tell me again!?’ Because I could not believe it. It never happened before. After that it happened, but I don't think anybody pushed the other one. I think both [parties] wanted it. It is great news for the club, I hope [and expect] he is happy, otherwise he would not do it. To have this incredible talent, unique player and striker for the club, for the next decade, is really important.

"He would not sign a contract if he could not visualise his future as a football player at this club, and the potential and the challenge here - it would be impossible. I am really pleased, especially pleased he has done it in not an easy moment for us in terms of results.

"And to do it in this moment, I think, means a lot for the trust in everyone at this club. He knows in 10 years - I don't know what's going to happen - but he will have different backroom staff and players. So I think he signs, because he sees City in the Premier League of course, and he sees the potential [and] that the club has been one decade at the top, for many, many years.

"I think the fact that he loves to play in the Premier League is a big compliment to the Premier League, to the whole organisation, to everyone and he wants to play for the club for many reasons - incredible clubs, incredible teams, year-by-year it's getting better, and that is it."

Haaland has been a revelation for City since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He hit 52 goals in his first season with the Blues and now has 111 efforts to his name through 126 appearances – with Liverpool star Mohamed Salah being chased down in another Golden Boot race this term.