Man City considering legal action after Enrique Riquelme’s Erling Haaland claim

Manchester City are considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would sign Erling Haaland if elected.

On Wednesday, Spanish businessman Riquelme made a television appearance promoting his bid to take over as Real president, with the elections set to take place on Sunday.

While outlining his bid, he held up a Real shirt bearing Haaland’s name on the back with the number nine.

“Haaland has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid,” Riquelme said, as quoted by The Athletic.

City issued a response to claims surrounding Haaland’s future on Thursday.

A club spokesperson said: “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.”

Haaland joined City in 2022 and signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract at the club in January 2025, committing his future until the 2033-34 season.

Haaland has been a prolific goalscorer for City since his arrival and has won two Premier League titles with the club.

In the 2025-26 season, he was part of their Carabao Cup and FA Cup-winning team and won the Premier League golden boot, finishing the campaign with 27 goals.

Riquelme also claimed he would sign City midfielder Rodri, who is under contract at the club for the coming season.