Manchester City are considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would sign Erling Haaland if he wins Sunday’s election.
Riquelme, who is the sole challenger to incumbent Florentino Perez, appeared on the El Hormiguero TV show in Spain last night and said the Norway international “wants to come to Madrid” while holding up a shirt with Haaland’s name on the back.
It is commonplace for presidential candidates to promise big-name signings as part of their campaigns but the 37-year-old’s audacity has not gone down well at the Etihad, especially as Riquelme claimed Haaland’s team-mate Rodri would also play at the Santiago Bernabeu next season.
A City statement this morning read: “The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue.
“There is no chance of this happening and there is no contractual clause to enable it.
“We are considering legal action for the use of our player image in this context.”
Riquelme says he will pay forfeit if Haaland and Rodri don’t join Real Madrid
Riquelme has already announced he would install former Madrid striker Raul as his sporting director should he win but had been relatively quiet on new signings, until last night.
He said: “If I break my promises regarding either of these players [Haaland and Rodri], I’ve signed a guarantee where I’d pay 100% of membership costs for next season.
“Haaland has a release clause, and he wants to come to Madrid.”
Haaland signed a 10-year-contract at City last year and there is no indication he has any desire to move to Spain.
That was backed up by his agent Rafaela Pimenta and the players’ father Alfie, who replied to the news of Riquelme’s interview last night by saying: “All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Madrid elections.”
Rodri coy on Real Madrid links
Rodri has just 12 months left on his deal at City and has been repeatedly linked with a transfer back to Madrid, where he starred previously for Atletico.
Asked about Real Madrid’s interest earlier this week, the Spain international said: “It’s part of football. I’m focused on being a leader in the national team. That’s my way. I understand the noise, but I’m not going to spend my time on that. We’ll see after the World Cup.”
