What is the release clause in Erling Haaland’s contract? Man City striker’s agent responds to latest Real Madrid transfer talk with ‘master of his destiny’ comment

The prolific Norwegian frontman plundered 52 goals across all competitions last season – breaking countless records along the way – as he helped City to a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League Treble. He has continued to star this season, leading to further speculation regarding supposed interest from La Liga giants Real Madrid.

There is said to be a clause in Haaland’s deal that could be triggered by teams outside of England in the summer of 2024, but Rafaela Pimenta has told Relevo when asked what it would take for a deal to be done: "Erling's contract is known to Manchester City, his father, himself and me.”

She went on to say of the transfer rumours that continue to rage: “Erling is the master of his destiny. Not just now but his entire life and 100%. What I mean is that you have to use balance. Us, club and player. We are all in the same boat. Things have to be talked about, treated, in such a way that everyone is okay. Comfortable and satisfied with the experience they live together. I think it is not necessary to say that Erling does what he wants. Is not true. Erling is always going to do what is good for him and for his club, Manchester City. When everyone is willing to make a change, it will be done. He's not the type of player who's going to say ‘I'm leaving, bye, I don't want to know anything’. It is not like this. And it's not going to happen because respect comes before everything. If they give it to him, he will give it too.”

Pimenta has suggested in the past that Haaland could be worth as much as €1 billion (£875m/$1bn) in the transfer market, and he has expanded on that comment by saying: “When I talk about 1 billion, I talked about a pack in which I include the years of career, the sales potential, tickets, t-shirts, sponsors, digital and everything that is coming that does not yet exist. It is impossible to say how much each thing costs. You are actually asking me how much the transfer costs and you don't have to ask me this. The market says so.”

Haaland is tied to City through to 2027, but has suggested that another challenge will be sought at some stage. Quizzed on whether Madrid would appeal, as the inclement weather in Manchester is escaped, Pimenta added: “Every time I go to Madrid I ask people what it's like to live there and they always tell me it's great. But in other cities it is also good. You don't believe me when I say it but he’s very good in Manchester. He’s fantastic. He eats well, he has everything, he has a lot of football, the people are friendly, calm…” She said of the rain in England: “But that's a matter of taste. As a Brazilian, I do understand it. But if you come from northern Europe, it's normal. For us it's a bit heavy, but not for them.”

Real Madrid have never shied away from their ‘Galacticos’ recruitment policy under club president Florentino Perez, and Haaland would fit the bill there. The Blancos are also said to have ended their long-standing interest in Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, which could lead to them prioritising a future raid on City.