Rafaela Pimenta and Erling Haaland’s father respond to Real Madrid presidential candidate comments | OneFootball

Erling Haaland’s super-agent Rafaela Pimenta and father Alfie have jointly dismissed transfer claims from Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme.

Riquelme caused significant waves on Wednesday when he publicly declared that Haaland “has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid” – one of the most direct and public statements of transfer intent made by any club official in recent memory.

The claims were made ahead of Real Madrid‘s presidential election on June 7, in which Riquelme is challenging incumbent Florentino Perez.

Pimenta and Alfie Haaland: All very entertaining but not true

In a joint statement relayed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, super agent Rafaela Pimenta and former Manchester City midfielder Alfie Haaland have responded to Riquelme’s comments.

“All very entertaining, but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections,” the statement read.

Romano has further reported that Haaland’s representatives are “absolutely, absolutely, completely, really completely relaxed” about the 25-year-old’s club future and are “not believing anything” being said by Riquelme in Madrid.

What does the denial mean for City’s position?

The statement will be welcomed at the Etihad Stadium, where Erling Haaland is contracted until 2034 following his extension last summer.

Manchester City have never publicly indicated any willingness to entertain offers for the Norwegian, whose 87 goals in his first two seasons at the club remain one of the most extraordinary records in Premier League history.

Whether Haaland’s deal does contain a release clause – and if so, under what precise conditions it can be triggered – has never been confirmed by the club or insiders.

Team Haaland’s statement does not address that specific detail, focusing instead on the claim that the player “wants” to leave. On that front, at least, the answer is clear.

What is the wider context for Real Madrid’s presidential election?

Riquelme’s bold transfer pledges – targeting both Haaland and Rodri as headline signings for a potential new era at the Santiago Bernabeu – have been widely read as electioneering rather than concrete transfer planning.

The June 7 vote will determine whether Perez retains the presidency or whether Riquelme takes office, with the arrival of Jose Mourinho as head coach already having energised the challenger’s campaign.

For City and their supporters, Pimenta and Alfie Haaland’s statement provides a measure of reassurance; though with Rodri’s contract situation considerably less resolved, director of football Hugo Viana will be well aware that not all of the summer’s transfer challenges have been so cleanly answered.