Erling Haaland could leave Manchester City at the end of the season after his release clause is revealed 

Erling Haaland playing for Man City

Erling Haaland could leave Manchester City at the end of the season after his release clause is revealed

Manchester City could reportedly face a ‘crisis’ at the end of the season, with Erling Haaland able to leave if the Citizens don’t confirm Champions League football for the next campaign.

 

Haaland recently put pen to paper on a mammoth new deal which will keep him at the Etihad until 2034. City moved to secure the futures of one of their most important players, who has been directly involved in 131 goals in as many games.

 

But prior to his contract being agreed, it was reported his representatives wanted to add a release clause, with them always looking to have him playing at the highest level.

 

As per El Nacional, they achieved it, as the report states there ‘are clauses’ in the contract that can ‘facilitate’ Haaland’s departure – one of which being if City don’t reach the Champions League next season.

 

The report describes that as a ‘crisis’ and it’s hard to disagree.

 

It is not clear what figures would be involved were he to exit, but it is known that Barcelona are ‘attentive’ to the opportunity to land the Norwegian superstar.

 

It is believed Joan Laporta ‘will do everything possible’ to try to sign Haaland, and an opportunity could fall in his lap.

 

Could City miss out on UCL football?

Currently, City find themselves fifth in the Premier League, with two points separating them and fourth-placed Chelsea.

 

 

Fortunately for City, it is highly likely that England will be given a fifth Champions League spot for next season, meaning they would only have to remain in their current position.

 

That said, sides below them such as Bournemouth, Newcastle and Aston Villa will be pushing to usurp them, with the latter pair finishing in the top four once each in the last two seasons.

 

As such, City will have to ensure their form remains better than those around them, or rely on winning the Champions League, something they did two seasons ago.

 

 

But they were a high-flying side then, and only scraped into the next stage this term, in which they will play for their place in the round of 16 knockouts.

 

Man City round-up: Juve star switch remains on

City reportedly came to an agreement with Juventus for the signing of Andrea Cambiaso in January, and though the Premier League champions could not go through with it given their funds were spent elsewhere, the move remains on for the summer.

 

City were also said to be keen on his team-mate Douglas Luiz into the final hours of the January window.

 

Meanwhile, TEAMtalk is aware that the Citizens are looking to rival Real Madrid for the signing of AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez.

 

That is if they miss out on Cambiaso, who we are aware remains the No.1 target for Pep Guardiola’s side.

 

 

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Champions League

Champions League plans are being considered (Image: Getty Images)

UEFA are reportedly looking into a major change to the Champions League by considering scrapping extra-time, following its recent competition reshuffle.

 

The current season introduced the Swiss-style system for the first time in the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League, creating a 36-team league rather than the traditional home-and-away matchups.

 

With the knockout stages of the 2024-25 season already determined, featuring eight teams moving straight to the last 16 and sixteen others vying for those spots, the push to reduce player fatigue is influencing ongoing talks.

 

Currently, ties go to extra-time if tied over the two legs, with the away goals rule having since been abolished.

 

According to The Guardian, UEFA is giving “serious consideration” to getting rid of extra time, although any operational changes might not take effect until after 2027 and are only being discussed informally so far.

 

These talks arise amidst concerns from players and their unions over the increasing schedule demands and associated injury risks, particularly with the inaugural expanded Club World Cup set to kick off in 2025 in the United States with 32 teams competing during the summer.

 

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) voiced concerns in September, stating: “Players and their unions have asked to be listened to and to be a central part of these processes. When they are ignored, then the natural consequence is that players will begin to consider all options available to them.”

 

These comments followed Manchester City player Rodri’s warning that a players’ strike was a real possibility. “I think we’re close to that. It’s the general opinion of the players, and if it keeps this way, we’ll have no other option. I really think it’s something that worries us. We are the guys who suffer.”

 

Rodri

Rodri (Image: Getty Images)

 

Rodri, who played 64 times for club and country in the 2023-24 season, winning the Premier League with City and Euro 2024 with Spain, expressed his concerns about player fatigue.

 

“Not everything is about money or marketing. It’s about the quality of show,” the midfielder added. “In my opinion, when I’m not tired, I perform better. If people want to see better football, then we need to rest.”

 

Rodri’s comments came just days before he suffered a long-term ACL injury against Arsenal, which has ruled him out for the bulk of the current campaign.

 

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