City on track to renew Erling Haaland... with an 'escape route' to Barça or Madrid

Erling Haaland's name could once again dominate the headlines of the 2025 transfer market. The striker's contract with Manchester City expires in June 2027 and the 'skyblue' entity wants to 'shield' him for the future against the inevitable interest of the other big clubs on the continent, which is why the Etihad Stadium offices have already set in motion the machinery to improve the scorer's link with the institution.

City rush to close his renewal

According to what was reported by the newspaper 'MARCA', Rafaela Pimienta, the footballer's representative, and the leaders of the Mancunian team have held several meetings and the signing of the player in his new contract would not be far from taking place. The conversations between both parties have been positive and everything indicates that the 'Android' would be one step away from closing his new commitment with his current club.

From the blue side of Manchester the message is clear: confidence in Haaland is full and indisputable. The same thought as Pep Guardiola, who has always maintained his firm stance of support for the goalscorer, even when his figure has been questioned. For his part, the Leeds native has never made any gesture that could cause any annoyance with the club in his first two years, beyond specific moments of sporting frustration when it comes to more or less getting into the game.

A world star contract

Once the club and the player shake hands, Haaland would surpass Kevin de Bruyne on the 'citizen' payroll and would become the highest paid player in the squad. England does not disclose a specific amount, but everything points to the Norwegian receiving the whopping figure of 24 million euros, a salary in line with his status as a world star.

The path that would bring him closer to Barça or Madrid

Although his contract would keep him even more linked to the 'skyblue' squad, the truth is that the striker would continue to be the owner of his future. Erling is known for always wanting to be in control of his destiny, so his intention would be to include a release clause to be able to leave if he so wishes in the event of receiving a significant offer from another big club on the continent.

In that sense, both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid could 'fish in troubled waters' during the summer of 2025. Pep Guardiola's time on the bench at the Etihad Stadium could come to an end in June 2025, the date on which his commitment to City expires. This situation would put the Norwegian's continuity in the team in 'check', since he could be tempted to try his luck in a new horizon and the two big clubs in Spain are presented as two strong candidates in the 'bidding'.

The Nordic scorer is an old desire of Joan Laporta, who longs to see him dressed in Barça as a replacement for Lewandowski at the top of the attack. If the Catalans end up signing the renewal of the sportswear contract with Nike and finally manage to reach the 1/1 rule, his signing would be a possible dream. For his part, Florentino Pérez would like to join him with Mbappé and Vinicius Jr. on the Santiago Bernabéu pitch, while PSG could also enter the 'race' to fill the void left by the Frenchman with his departure to the Spanish capital. Thus, the summer of 2025 seems to be one with quite a few movements around one of the most desired footballers by the big clubs in Europe.