Man City’s prepare huge deal for star player Haaland to clear off Real Madrid pressure 

Man City’s prepare huge deal for star player Haaland to clear off Real Madrid pressure

Man City’s Haaland is currently under contract until 30th June 2027. EFE

Manchester City, embroiled in a legal battle against the Premier League after allegedly committing 115 breaches of financial rules, are shaping their immediate future. The Cityzens, who on Thursday sealed Pep Guardiola’s renewal until 2026 (with an option for a further year), are now focusing on Erling Haaland.

 

‘The Sun’ has reported that the Sky Blues want the Norwegian to follow in the footsteps of the coach from Santpedor. Therefore, the club have prepared a contract for the Nordic for a value of 100 million pounds (about 120 million euros), which would be pocketed with an extension of 4 or 5 more years.

 

City are absolutely convinced that their star player will give green light by securing Guardiola’s continuity. “I hope Pep signs a new contract. He has been important to me in the two and a half years at City. I hope he stays longer. I like Pep a lot and I hope he likes me too,” said the ‘Cyborg’ after the Norway-Kazakhstan game.

 

Both the Catalan coach and the Mancheste bosses would love to see Haaland commit to a long-term contract. The Norwegian, who joined the Cityzens from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, is currently under contract until 30th June 2027.

 

The striker does not appear to be in any rush to renew his contract, although the huge effort the club is willing to make and the decision of his manager could change everything. If City were to succeed, they would be making a big splash and would scare off teams like PSG, Madrid and Barca, who are keeping a close eye on the Nordic striker’s situation.

 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about potential changes to his squad as he looks to lead the next chapter

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Erling Haaland of Manchester City celebrate with Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic after scoring the third goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester City FC at London Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Pep Guardiola spoke about potential changes in the Manchester City squad

Pep Guardiola has no issue with Manchester City’s ageing squad if they can emulate the golden oldies of Real Madrid.

 

City’s manager has signed a two-year extension to commit him to the club until the summer of 2027, and there is an expectation that he will lead a rebuilding of the side that have won six Premier League titles in seven years. Txiki Begiristain will be in charge until the end of this season, when Hugo Viana will join permanently from Sporting with big shoes to fill.

 

Guardiola staying mitigates the loss of Begiristain to keep stability in the club, although he has hinted at major changes in the playing squad. The coach also brought up in his first press conference since agreeing a new deal that there are 12 stars in what is a small squad who are over 30.

 

City’s boss insists that age need not be a problem for his stars if they can prove to be good enough, as Real proved in the 2021/22 season when they won the league and Champions League with a trio of midfielders in their 30s. However, just as Guardiola does not want to stay at the Etihad because of his past achievements he needs his ageing players to show why they deserve to be part of the future.

 

“There is a season when you buy five players, and seasons like this season when you buy one and bring Gundogan back. When everyone is fit, I think I don’t need anyone.

 

“I think the squad is exceptional. But we have recently had a lot of problems. But today in modern football you can’t bring in seven players for seven players. It’s not the right way. For one, two or three…Txiki will help us until the last moment and Hugo is going to help us afterwards.

 

“It depends on how the [players over 30] perform, do you know how good they can be? I saw Real Madrid with Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Modric win the championship and Champions League and play every three days.

 

“It’s not about that. Players who are 33, 34,35 can play all the season and play incredibly well and help the team. You have experience, you have something the young players cannot have.

 

“You cannot have just young players. You have to have a mix and we have a mix. There are nine or 10 who are 21/22: Josko, Erling, Phil, Rico, Oscar, Macca, Jeremy, Savinho… we have a lot of incredible top young players.

 

“Those who are around 30 are still at the perfect age. What will decide is if we win or we lose, we are up there or at the bottom. The club will take decisions on the manager and the players. We have to win for our future and we have to perform well to stay here.”