Real Madrid blow, Premier League charges - What Erling Haaland contract really means for Man City

When Pep Guardiola signed a new contract in November, he cited Manchester City's wretched form as a reason to stay. Now Erling Haaland has hinted at the same as he put pen to paper on a monumental nine-year extension.

Haaland's bumper deal effectively ties him to City for the peak years of his career, expiring when he is 33 and therefore putting an end to the background transfer links to Real Madrid.

With 111 goals already in sky Blue, Haaland's record-breaking rate of scoring has slowed this season as City have struggled, and the striker referenced that form when explaining why he signed a new deal.

“I am really confident that we will turn things around. Things have been difficult as we are so used to winning games, but also it is a challenge for us," he said. "To get this feeling of hunger inside every single one of us to not look at things easier. Don’t take things for granted, that is an important thing.

"I will do everything I can to change things around.

“It is a bit of a reality check on actually how difficult it is just to win a game because look how good other teams are. Then you also look at City winning four-in-a-row and how extraordinary that was. To win the Treble as well is ridiculous. Look forward, stay positive and attack what is ahead.”

That motivation will be music to City's ears - as will his declaration that he is coming for Alan Shearer's all-time record of 260 Premier League goals. City expect him to improve and self-improvement is on Haaland's mind too.

There are other long-term implications too. Those endless Real Madrid links (often encouraged by the Haaland camp) should end.

In Haaland's announcement video on Friday, in which he sent a 'letter' to defenders, he hinted at that speculation,