SOCCER: Man City consider legal action after Real Madrid candidate's Haaland pledge

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City said on Thursday they are considering legal action after Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme claimed he would sign Norway striker Erling Haaland if elected.

Riquelme, a renewable energy entrepreneur challenging incumbent Florentino Perez, made the pledge during a televised appearance in Spain on Wednesday, where he held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name.

“The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue,” a Manchester City spokesperson said. “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’s image in this context.”

Riquelme said Haaland, who scored 38 goals in all competitions last season, has a release clause and would be eager to join the Spanish club. He added that signing the forward would be a priority if he wins Sunday’s presidential election.

A joint statement from Haaland’s father, Alfie Haaland, and his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, quickly rejected the claim, calling it “not true.”

Riquelme also said he would attempt to sign Manchester City midfielder Rodri, stating he had spoken with the player’s agent and would “do everything possible” to bring the Ballon d’Or winner to Madrid.

The comments come amid Real Madrid’s presidential election, the first in two decades in which Perez is not running unopposed, following the club’s two seasons without a major trophy.

Voting is scheduled for Sunday, with around 100,000 club members eligible to take part.

Haaland had the option to join Real Madrid in 2022 when he left Borussia Dortmund but instead signed for Manchester City. While the striker, who has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times in four seasons, has previously said he would like to play for Real one day, there has been no indication he is unhappy at City. He signed a new nine-and-a-half-year contract in January 2025.

-Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters