Manchester City is considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would sign Norwegian striker Erling Haaland if he wins the election. The comments were made on a Spanish television program on Wednesday, where Riquelme held up a Real Madrid shirt with Haaland's name on it.
"Stories from Spain about Erling Haaland's future are untrue," a Manchester City spokesperson said on Thursday. "There is no chance of this happening, and no contractual clause allows it. We are reviewing legal action due to the use of our player's image in this context."
Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur challenging incumbent president Florentino Perez, claimed Haaland has a release clause and wants to move to Real Madrid. He considers the transfer a top priority if he wins Sunday's election. However, a joint statement from Haaland's father, Alfie Haaland, and agent Rafaela Pimenta quickly denied this, calling it "untrue."
Riquelme also said he would try to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, the Ballon d'Or winner, stating he had spoken with the player's representative and would "do everything possible" to bring him to Madrid. These remarks come ahead of the first Real Madrid presidential election in two decades with an opponent to Perez, following two trophy-less seasons for the club. About 100,000 eligible club members will vote on Sunday.
Haaland had the chance to join Real Madrid in 2022 when leaving Borussia Dortmund but chose Manchester City, where his father once played. Though he has acknowledged wanting to "play for Real one day," there are no signs he is unhappy at the Etihad. In January 2025, he signed a new 9.5-year contract. Meanwhile, Florentino Perez announced that if re-elected, he would bring coach Jose Mourinho back to Real Madrid from Benfica for a second stint.
