Erling Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta and father Alfie Haaland have jointly dismissed transfer claims made by Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, calling them entertaining but untrue.
Riquelme, who faces incumbent Florentino Perez in Sunday’s election at Real Madrid, publicly declared this week that Haaland “has a release clause and wants to join Real Madrid.” The statement came as part of a campaign push ahead of the 7 June vote, the first contested election at the club in 20 years.
In a joint statement relayed by transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Pimenta and Alfie Haaland responded directly. “All very entertaining, but not true. We wish all the best for both candidates in the Real Madrid elections,” the statement read. Romano added that Haaland’s representatives are “absolutely, absolutely, completely, really completely relaxed” about the 25-year-old’s club future and are “not believing anything” being said by Riquelme.
The denial carries weight beyond the words. Haaland signed a nine-and-a-half-year contract extension at City in January 2025, running until 2034, with all release clauses from his previous deal removed. He has scored 111 goals in 126 games since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Riquelme’s Haaland pledge forms part of a wider set of transfer promises that also includes City midfielder Rodri. Manchester City threatened legal action after Riquelme held up a Real Madrid shirt bearing Haaland’s name during a media appearance.
Rodri’s situation differs. His contract position remains unresolved, and City’s director of football Hugo Viana faces a more complicated picture on that front heading into the summer.
Riquelme also named Jurgen Klopp as his preferred managerial target, a claim Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke dismissed as “annoying,” saying Klopp has no ambitions to return to club coaching. Perez, meanwhile, has confirmed Jose Mourinho will take charge if he wins re-election.
