Erling Haaland has said the charges facing Manchester City have had no impact on him signing a massive new nine-and-a-half-year contract with the club.
The Norwegian striker has signed a deal that will keep him at the Etihad until 2034 and make him one of the highest paid players in sport.
City are awaiting the outcome of their disciplinary hearing into 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, which could lead to point deductions and even relegation.
Asked if the hearing had any bearing on whether he would sign his new contract, Haaland said: “No, I haven’t thought about that or anything.
“I’m sure the club knows what they’re doing and I really don’t think I need to talk too much about it.”
City are alleged to have breached the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. City strongly deny all allegations, with the private hearing taking place between September and December.
@ManCity 🩵 pic.twitter.com/FpNtWcID23
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) January 19, 2025
Long-term deal is ‘a very good sign’
The 24-year-old has scored 112 goals in 127 games since joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Haaland’s new deal is the longest in Premier League history, eclipsing the nine-year deal Cole Palmer signed last summer.
“It’s a very good sign,” Haaland added. “Of course it’s a bit unusual, it’s not normal and that’s also something I like.
“I felt good for both parties and in the end it was an easy choice.”
Before joining City in 2022, Haaland’s father Alfie said the striker would like to play in all of Europe’s top leagues during his career, having won the Bundesliga and Premier League so far.
“Those are his words, not mine,” Haaland said when told of his father’s comments.
“I think when I signed for City it felt like home. I really meant it.
“I feel so happy, my family is so happy. After all, that’s what I wanted. The people I talked to convinced me that this was the right choice.
“In the end, when I talked to people, we came up with it and it felt really good. I’m really looking forward to spending so many more years in Manchester, it’s going to be amazing.
“I feel like a really positive energy at the club. It was a difficult time, everyone knows that. We’ve trained really well, we’re done now and we’re looking forward, we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
Haaland is not thinking about Real Madrid
Haaland has been linked with Real Madrid throughout his career and was asked if he “regretted” that his new deal would make a move to the Bernabeu more difficult.
“I just signed a nine-year contract, what do you want me to say?” Haaland answered.
“Of course I’m happy. I’m very happy with my choice and I’m looking forward to many years in Manchester.”
