Manchester City are considering legal action against Enrique Riquelme, a Real Madrid presidential candidate, after he appeared on Spanish television holding a Madrid shirt with Erling Haaland's name on the back. Riquelme claimed a clause in Haaland's contract would allow him to sign the striker if elected.
On Wednesday, Riquelme stated on the programme El Hormiguero that Haaland, who signed a record nine-and-a-half-year deal in January 2025, wanted to join Real Madrid. He also promised that Rodri would leave City for the Spanish giants. City responded on Thursday, calling the claims untrue and denying any contractual clause enabling a transfer.
Haaland's father, Alfie, and agent, Rafaela Pimenta, also dismissed the claims, describing them as 'entertaining but not true'. Riquelme, standing against incumbent Florentino Pérez in Sunday's elections, backed his pledges with a personal notarised guarantee, promising to pay annual dues for Madrid's 100,000 members if he fails.
Rodri, whose contract expires next summer, recently said he is calm about his future but hinted that circumstances might differ without a World Cup. Meanwhile, José Mourinho, linked with the Real Madrid managerial role, has filed a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights over disciplinary sanctions from his time at Fenerbahce.
