Manchester City are considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme said he would sign superstar Erling Haaland if elected.
Riquelme made the announcement on Spanish television on Wednesday, holding up a Real shirt bearing Haaland’s name and the number nine.
The presidential candidate also said he would move for Spain international Rodri, who has a year left on his contract at City.
«Rodri plays in a position that Real Madrid needs and he fits the profile. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid,» Riquelme said on Antena 3.
«With Rodri he is under contract and we must respect Manchester City. We would start talking to the club and its representatives as early as next Monday,» the renewable energy entrepreneur added.
«As for Haaland, it’s a different situation. He has a release clause and would like to go to Real Madrid,» Riquelme said.
City responded strongly to the comments about Haaland on Thursday.
“The stories emerging from Spain about Erling Haaland’s future are not true,” a club spokesman said.
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«There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause allowing for this. We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.»
Haaland joined City in 2022 and signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025.
The 25-year-old Norwegian has been a prolific goalscorer since arriving at the Etihad, winning the Premier League and the Champions League twice.
Haaland won the League Cup and the FA Cup this season and also picked up the Premier League Golden Boot with 27 goals.
The elections for Real Madrid are on Sunday.
Riquelme, a successful businessman, challenges Florentino Perez, who has been president since 2009.
The 79-year-old was first elected president of Real Madrid in 2000 and oversaw the club’s Galactico era before stepping down in 2006 but returning three years later.
Published on June 4, 2026
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