Pep Guardiola has quashed reports that Erling Haaland has a condition in his agreement permitting him to join Genuine Madrid for a lower expense.
Another double by Norwegian striker Haaland guaranteed City third win from three UCL Group G on Wednesday matches with a 5-0 whipping of FC Copenhagen.
Haaland’s double took his goal count since joining City to 19 goals in 12 games in all competitions.
Spanish media reported this week that there is a release clause statement in Haaland’s City contract that is exclusive to Real Madrid and gives the LaLiga giants a huge advantage if they have any desire to get him in the 2023-24 season.
Guardiola, in any case, insisted there was no such condition in the five-year contract Haaland marked while joining from Borussia Dortmund.
“It is not true,” Guardiola added. “He does not have a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team. Rumours, people talk.
“We have to be worried about what we can control. I have the feeling he is very happy here and we will try to make people happy here. He is settled perfectly, incredibly beloved.”
All the more worryingly for City, Guardiola said defender Kyle Walker has a stomach injury that will keep him out for half a month, projecting questions on theEngland international’s fitness for the World Cup.