Manchester City are reportedly preparing to offer Erling Haaland a new contract, with their big and beloved Norwegian striker currently on 48 goals for the season in 41 appearances in all competitions.
Sam Lee of The Athletic reports that there is a belief Haaland is open to new talks with the club as they look to make a move that reflects the impact the striker has had during his first season at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland is said to be extremely happy at City, as he enjoys an unprecedented goal-scoring season; on track to obliterate the record number of league goals scored in the Premier League.
The Norwegian is also reportedly delighted that the club have held up their end of the bargain, which they had discussed before he joined the club, which included looking after his physical well-being following a season of issues at Borussia Dortmund. Pep Guardiola commented in a recent press conference about special care being taken by the club to maintain the Nord's condition, praising the club's doctors and physios for how "they are behind him, every second of the day".
Some City fans have been wary about Haaland leaving even before he had signed for the club as multiple rumours of a potential release clause in 2024 infiltrated the media.
However, Sam Lee reports the supposed clause, which could have allowed the 22-year-old to leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 season if a side met the £150 million fee and the striker agreed to a move, has been removed as it was tied to Pep Guardiola's future in Manchester.
The Catalan signed a 2025 extension to his own deal in November and, according to The Athletic, the £150 million release clause in Haaland's contract that would activate in the summer of 2024 was subsequently cancelled.
The Athletic write that the exact details of the forward's contract are unknown, so it is unclear whether similar release clauses could become active in the future.
It is common for City to offer new contracts with improved terms to players who do well immediately during their first seasons; Ruben Dias and Ederson are high-profile examples, with Julian Alvarez signing a new contract midway through his first season off the back of his performances in England and more importantly an incredible World Cup campaign in Qatar for winners Argentina.
City bosses and fans alike will hope that Haaland follows suit and extends his stay to continue the fairy tale at his boyhood club, where he is said to believe he is in the right place to improve as a player.
City fans have been enjoying some stellar performances in recent weeks by their team as Guardiola's well-oiled machine motors on towards a potentially historic treble following an impressive two-legged show against German champions Bayern Munich, in which Haaland scored three times over the two games to set up a Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid.
Written by: @adwitya16
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