Manchester City are navigating a challenging period both on and off the pitch.
In recent weeks, the team has suffered four consecutive defeats—a first for a Pep Guardiola side. Despite this setback, City remain strong contenders in the Premier League title race, with hopes of adding another trophy to their collection by the end of the season.
Off the pitch, the club is engaged in a legal battle with the Premier League over allegations of 115 historic financial regulation breaches.
As the final international break of 2024 unfolds, attention has shifted to behind-the-scenes developments regarding one of City’s key players, **Erling Haaland**, and efforts to secure his future at the Etihad.
### Haaland’s Contract Talks
Speaking to *Manchester City News*, transfer expert Graeme Bailey from GRV Media provided insight into City’s ongoing negotiations to extend Haaland’s contract.
“City are confident about agreeing terms. They’ve been working on this for two years,” Bailey explained.
He noted that release clauses have been a consistent sticking point. “The issue has always been the release clauses, which aren’t going to be removed. City have accepted that. Their hope is to adjust when these clauses become active. If a new deal is signed soon, from what I understand, the earliest a release clause could be triggered would be 2026 instead of 2025.”
Bailey also clarified that while these clauses are standard in Haaland’s contracts, they are not part of an “exit strategy” but rather a safeguard for the player’s long-term future.
“City are increasingly confident he’ll agree. A new deal will likely involve a significant wage increase, but money isn’t the primary issue. Haaland’s team has always maintained this contractual structure, and City are working within those parameters,” Bailey added.
### Haaland’s Impact and Future at City
Haaland joined Manchester City in the summer of 2022 on a five-year contract, with an initial fee of £51 million. Reports in September suggested that the club was nearing an agreement on an improved contract after multiple meetings with his agent, Rafaela Pimenta.
The Norwegian striker has quickly become an integral part of Guardiola’s squad, breaking numerous records with his goal-scoring prowess. Understandably, City are keen to secure his services for the foreseeable future.
The club’s confidence in finalizing a new deal should come as welcome news for City fans. Bailey also suggested that a renewed contract would end speculation about a potential summer move, ensuring Haaland remains a key figure in City’s ambitions.
For a club facing challenges on multiple fronts, locking down one of the world’s best strikers would be a significant boost heading into the crucial months of the season.
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