Erling Haaland publicly shuts down chance of Real Madrid or Barcelona transfer in future | OneFootball

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has openly shut down the idea of moving to Real Madrid or Barcelona later on in his top-level career, in a recent press conference.

The 24-year-old Norway international made history this month by signing the longest contract extension in the game, and certainly one of the most lucrative agreements when factoring in all potential contractual terms and external fees.

Alongside his position as being one of the most marketable footballers on the planet, Haaland’s basic salary and potential bonuses makes him possibly the most well-paid player in the Premier League, challenging figures earned by Saudi Pro League stars.

But while there had been a feeling within the game that the allure of Real Madrid in particular, or Spanish football as a whole, would appeal to Erling Haaland and his representative team at some stage in his career, the new agreement largely puts to bed that feeling.

Speaking prior to City’s eventual 4-2 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League, Erling Haaland was handed a further opportunity to discuss the decision and thought process behind his nine-and-a-half year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Comments from his father and former City man, Alfie Haaland were put to Erling in Paris this week, after the forward’s representative stated upon his arrival at the club in 2022 that there was an intention to player in all of Europe’s top leagues for a period of two or three years each.

“First of all, that’s his words! Not mine,” Erling Haaland hit back. “But I think when I signed for this club (Manchester City), I felt like at home, and I really meant it. And I feel at home, I feel so happy, my family is so happy, and I think in the end that’s what I wanted, and I’m happy!”

On the decision itself, the 24-year-old striker explained, “The feeling, and the people I spoke with made me convinced that this was the right choice, the people around me.

“And in the end when I spoke with people, we came to this, and it felt really good, and in the end I’m really looking forward to spending so many more years in Manchester. It’s going to be amazing!”

But does that mean that the usual footballer’s dream of one day playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona in La Liga is now over for the Manchester City forward?

“I just signed a nine-and-a-half year deal so what do you want me to say,” Haaland hit back, in comments that will no doubt be music to the ears of City supporters across the globe.

He continued, “Of course I’m happy with that (not playing for either of those teams) and I’m good with that. Yeah, as I said, I’m super happy with my choice and I’m looking forward to spending many years in Manchester and that’s really it.”

While Haaland was once again on the scoresheet this week, he will be hoping for a much more positive result and more goalmouth action when he returns to the pitch on Saturday evening, as Chelsea visit the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League.

It may also be the first opportunity to see the Norwegian link-up with his new attacking teammate, Omar Marmoush – who penned a four-and-a-half year agreement at the club from Eintracht Frankfurt this week.