Manchester City are contemplating legal action following a claim by a Real Madrid presidential candidate, Enrique Riquelme, who promised to sign their striker Erling Haaland. This move has stirred up controversy in the football world and could potentially lead to legal repercussions.
Enrique Riquelme, a renewable energy magnate running for the presidency of Real Madrid, unveiled a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland's name on television. He stated that if he becomes president, Haaland will play for Real Madrid due to his release clause and his desire to join the team. This announcement was swiftly denied by both Haaland's father and agent in a joint statement before Manchester City dismissed the suggestion outright.
Manchester City released statement:
"The stories which have emerged from Spain regarding the future of Erling Haaland are untrue," the statement read. "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 image in this context."
Riquelme also pledged to sign Rodri from Manchester City stating: "He is a great player, in a position where Madrid needs strengthening." He added that while they respect his current club affiliation with Man City, if he becomes president of Real Madrid, Rodri would be playing for them.
Battle for presidency at Real Madrid
The ongoing election at Real Madrid sees Riquelme challenging incumbent Florentino Perez - marking the first time Perez has faced opposition in 20 years. This comes after two seasons without any major trophies won by the club.
Riquelme's campaign promises include building an exclusive city for fans around their training base complete with swimming pools and sports arenas. He also proposes reducing membership fees by up to 50% if they fail to win next season’s Champions League. Interestingly enough, Riquelme opposes Perez’s decision of appointing Jose Mourinho as manager – an appointment that can only be confirmed should Perez win this election. Instead, Jurgen Klopp - former Liverpool manager - is hinted as being their main target should Riquelme emerge victorious.
Perez’s campaign dismisses these strategies as unrealistic, and instead promises to rejuvenate the squad with new signings and reduce internal disputes. If Perez wins, the club will confirm the signings of former Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and Inter full-back Denzel Dumfries. The election campaign has been marked by repeated attempts from both sides to ridicule each other. In a notable incident, Perez's team purchased advertising space during Riquelme's appearance on El Hormiguero - a popular chat show - where they announced Mourinho as their new manager and urged members to support their candidate.
Rodri, 29, recently stated that he would resolve his future after the upcoming World Cup. This statement adds another layer of intrigue to this unfolding drama in football politics. This presidential race at Real Madrid is not just about who will lead one of the world’s most prestigious football clubs but also about potential transfers that could reshape European football.
