Pep Guardiola Breaks Silence on Manchester City Extending Erling Haaland’s Contract Amid Real Madrid Links

Per his contractual obligation, Erling Haaland will remain in Manchester City until 2027. But recent reports from Spanish media heavily linked the Norwegian to Real Madrid. These reports suggested that the player is unhappy in Manchester and is eager to reunite with his ex-Borussia Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham in the Spanish capital. Nevertheless, City boss Pep Guardiola is not bothered by Haaland’s rumored move to Real Madrid. Instead, he spilled the beans on the 23-year-old’s contract extension, citing Manchester City is ‘in love with him.’

While his contract ties Haaland to Manchester till 2027, the club will probably try to extend his contract in light of the Madrid rumors. Hence, Guardiola now insists the Norwegian should have a long stay with the reigning Premier League champions.

Pep Guardiola will encourage Erling Haaland to extend his Manchester City contract

In a recent interview with the press, Pep Guardiola was asked if he was aware of Manchester City initiating contract extension talks with Erling Haaland. “I don’t know,” the Spanish boss replied. Soon, the interviewer asked if he wanted Haaland to extend his contract with the club. “What do you think? That we don’t want Erling to stay for one decade?! Honestly… We want him! Yes, or yes, for a long time at this club. We are in love with him, we want him,” said Guardiola in response.

While this is the treble-winning boss’ aspiration, we have not heard from Haaland yet. He has not yet quashed the rumor involving him and Real Madrid. Meanwhile, there is reason for Haaland to be unhappy. He missed two crucial months of action because of an ankle injury. Had he not been injured, he could have emerged as 2023’s top goalscorer. With 50 goals under his tally, the 23-year-old was just four goals shy of Cristiano Ronaldo who seized the Golden Boot last year. While insisting the Norwegian to stay for the next decade, Guardiola also gave his two cents on the player’s projected Madrid switch.

Guardiola on Haaland’s Real Madrid links

“I don’t know. I am not involved in that. It’s always about the desire of the player, the club, does he stay, does he want to leave, I don’t have info,” said the City manager referring to the Erling Haaland-Real Madrid rumors. He added that the press should consult the Spanish media which reported on the player’s Madrid interest. The City boss also said if at all Haaland is unhappy at Etihad, it is because he sat out two months, nursing his injury.

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Anyhow, it is quite likely that Haaland’s alleged interest in Madrid will die down as a rumor. Firstly, the player has been finding immense success in Etihad. He won the treble in the first season and broke goal-scoring records. Now, despite the injury, the Norwegian leads this PL season’s scoring. Meanwhile, City can still contend for another treble this season. Besides, Kylian Mbappe has reportedly agreed to join Madrid in the summer. So, Haaland will probably continue to don the sky-blue colors.

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