Premier League giants Manchester City are considering legal action after a candidate in Real Madrid‘s presidential election claimed he would sign star striker Erling Haaland if elected.
Spanish businessman Enrique Riquelme, who is challenging incumbent president Florentino Perez, unveiled a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name during a television appearance on Wednesday.
“He has a release clause and would like to join Real Madrid. If I become president, he will play for Real Madrid,” Riquelme said.
City reject claims and threaten legal action
The comments were quickly dismissed by both Manchester City and representatives of the Norwegian striker.
In a joint statement, Haaland’s father, Alf-Inge Haaland, and agent Rafaela Pimenta described the reports as inaccurate.
“All very entertaining but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections,” the statement read.
Manchester City also issued a firm response, insisting there is no release clause that would allow Haaland to leave.
“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,” the club said.
City added that they are considering legal action over the use of Haaland’s image during the election campaign.
Rodri also targeted by candidate
Riquelme also claimed he would attempt to bring City midfielder Rodri to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“He is a great player, in a position where Madrid need to strengthen. We have spoken to his agent. If I’m president, he will play for Madrid,” he said.
Rodri, whose future has also attracted speculation, recently stated that he will make decisions regarding his future after the upcoming World Cup.
Election battle intensifies at Real Madrid
The presidential election, scheduled for 7 June, is the first time in two decades that Perez has faced opposition.
Riquelme has built his campaign around ambitious promises, including the creation of a fan complex near the club’s training facilities and reducing membership fees if the team fails to win the Champions League next season.
He has also criticised Perez’s decision to appoint Jose Mourinho as head coach, while hinting that former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would be his preferred candidate.
Perez, meanwhile, has defended his leadership and blamed injuries and a disrupted pre-season for Real Madrid’s disappointing campaign.
How Real Madrid’s elections work
Unlike most major clubs, Real Madrid remains owned by its members. Around 100,000 members are eligible to vote in the election, with each paying an annual membership fee.
Perez, who first became president in 2000 and returned in 2009, is widely regarded as the favourite to secure another term. His original rise to power was built on the famous “Galacticos” project, which brought stars such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario and David Beckham to the Spanish capital.
With the election campaign entering its final days, the debate over Haaland has added another layer of controversy to an already heated contest.
Discussion about this post