Manchester City have strongly rejected claims made by Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme regarding the future of Erling Haaland and are weighing up legal action following comments made during the club’s election campaign.
The controversy erupted after Riquelme, who is challenging current president Florentino Perez in Sunday’s election, publicly declared that he would bring Haaland to the Santiago Bernabéu if elected.
The 37-year-old entrepreneur made the remarks during an appearance on Spanish television on Wednesday, presenting the striker as one of the flagship signings of his proposed administration.
In a highly publicized campaign moment, Riquelme unveiled a Real Madrid shirt bearing the name “Haaland” and the number nine, insisting that the Norwegian international was keen on a move to the Spanish capital.
He also named Manchester City midfielder Rodri as another marquee target.
The candidate even attached a personal guarantee to his promise, claiming he would cover 100 percent of membership fees for the following season if he failed to secure the signatures of either player.
City Move Quickly to Shut Down Speculation
Manchester City responded less than 24 hours later with a strongly worded statement dismissing Riquelme’s claims and denying suggestions that Haaland could be available for transfer. “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” a Spokesperson from the club revealed.
The FA Cup champions then issued an even firmer denial. “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are FALSE. There is NO chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.”
The statement directly contradicts Riquelme’s assertion that Haaland possesses a release clause that would facilitate a transfer to Real Madrid.
Haaland remains one of the cornerstones of City’s project and one of the most feared forwards in world football. Since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, the Norwegian has transformed the club’s attack and rewritten numerous records.
He made an immediate impact during his debut season in England, scoring a record-breaking 36 Premier League goals to surpass the previous mark for a 38-game campaign.
His remarkable goalscoring exploits helped City secure a historic treble, including the club’s first-ever UEFA Champions League title.
The striker’s numbers have remained extraordinary ever since. Across four seasons at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland has scored 192 goals for the Cityzens while establishing himself as one of the defining players of the Premier League era.
He has also claimed the Premier League Golden Boot on three occasions, underlining his dominance in front of goal.
Given his record and status, speculation linking him with Europe’s elite clubs has never completely disappeared, with Real Madrid frequently mentioned as a potential destination.
However, City’s latest response leaves little room for interpretation regarding their stance.
Election Campaign Could Trigger Legal Battle
Manchester City also expressed concern over the use of Haaland’s image and identity as part of a political campaign connected to Real Madrid’s presidential election.
The club revealed that it is considering legal measures following Riquelme’s public presentation of the customized shirt and references to the player during campaign events. “We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context,” the spokesperson added.
The threat introduces a new layer of tension to an election already attracting significant attention across Spain.
Riquelme has attempted to position himself as a challenger capable of delivering transformational signings and ushering in a new era at the club.
However, his comments have now sparked a public dispute with one of Europe’s most powerful football institutions just days before Madrid members head to the polls.
Perez, who has overseen one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s history and remains the overwhelming favourite for re-election, has yet to publicly comment on the controversy.
As the countdown to Sunday’s vote continues, attention will not only be focused on who emerges victorious in the presidential race but also on whether Manchester City follow through with their threat of legal action over one of the most controversial campaign promises in recent Real Madrid election history.
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