Manchester City continues to exert pressure on Erling Haaland to sign a new contract. Since his arrival at the Etihad, the Norwegian forward has flourished, and the defending champions are determined to sign their star player to a new contract.

According to 90min.com’s Graeme Bailey, the treble champions are eager to negotiate a new contract with their number nine. According to Bailey, Manchester City is eager to have a particular release clause in Haaland’s contract eliminated. Additionally, the clause that the city wishes to eliminate will not go into effect until 2025.

Furthermore, Bailey adds that City is willing to retain the clause in Haaland’s contract while increasing the release clause, rather than removing it entirely, if the Haaland camp does not want the clauses removed. Bailey further states that when Pep Guardiola extended Haaland’s contract in December of last year, certain clauses were eliminated.

According to the Spanish publication AS, Real Madrid may pursue the transfer of Haaland in the upcoming summer. Rafaela Pimenta, the agent of Erling Haaland, was reportedly present at the Bernabeu for the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Braga, according to AS. When questioned, Pimenta denied that she and Real Madrid had engaged in any discussions concerning Erling Haaland.

Graeme Bailey’s report is subsequent to the Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan’s early October report that City intended to initiate contract negotiations with Haaland. The fact that Manchester City is attempting to secure a new contract for their number nine is not unexpected. Haaland has amassed seventeen goals in eighteen games this season, continuing his record-setting form from the previous campaign.