Haaland's release clauses: 200m euros in 2024 and 175m euros in 2025

Even though Erling Haaland moved to Manchester City this summer, his long-term future isn't certain because of two release clauses that form part of his contract.

When Haaland committed to Manchester City, he secured two things: to become the second-highest paid player in the Premier League after Cristiano Ronaldo thanks to a net salary of 25 million euros per year (although he could now have been overtaken by Mohamed Salah after renewing his contract with Liverpool) and to continue to control every step of his career.

This wasn't easy for representative Rafaela Pimienta, the right-hand woman and partner of the famous agent Mino Raiola, who died on 30 April.

The Brazilian lawyer managed to include two release clauses in his contract that allow Haaland to decide whether to stay at the Etihad Stadium or move to another club for a fee at the end of his second season as a Citizen.

The agreement is valid for five seasons, until 30 June 2027, and this clause, which is not a normal termination clause because they are not allowed in the Premier League, has a special nuance: it is linked to the achievement of certain minimum sporting objectives.

Once these are met, the player has the possibility of terminating the contract after payment of 200m euros at the end of the second season, the summer of 2024, or of 175m euros at the end of the third season, in summer 2025.

There was speculation in Germany that the figure would be lower and that there would be only one window to exercise it, but that hasn't been the case.

While these amounts are high, they're also affordable for a club like Real Madrid, who might be interested in him and who offered 200m euros for Kylian Mbappe in 2021.

It is not common for footballers of this level to have a price tag or, when they do, they are prohibitively high, such as the 1bn euro release clause that'll go into Vinicius' new contract.

Haaland's release clauses throughout his career

This release clause in the contract with Manchester City, which could only be included after arduous negotiations with Txiki Begiristain and Ferran Soriano, has been a constant in Haaland's sporting career.

Well advised from the outset by the late Mino Raiola, he resorted to this formula to leave Borussia Dortmund this summer, with that clause having been set at 70m euros.

It was similar when he left RB Salzburg, with a clause of 20m euros.

Real Madrid already knew about Haaland's release clauses

In the offices of Real Madrid, they knew there was a possibility of Haaland being able to leave Manchester City in just two years because of the release clauses.

In the preliminary talks the Spanish club held with the striker's representatives at the time, their intention to include this exit clause was mentioned, something that does not fit in with the contracting guidelines of Real Madrid's sporting management.

Despite knowing Haaland's desire to one day play for Real Madrid, the priority target was Mbappe, which led to negotiations being shelved.

The other priority is Benzema

Although the situation of both players is being monitored at Real Madrid, today there is no set plan regarding Haaland or Mbappe.

Until the summer of 2024 the priority is to look after Benzema, the hero of an unforgettable season and likely the next Ballon d'Or winner.

The other priority is to boost the development of Vinicius and Rodrygo, while they are confident that Benzema will keep up his high level for a couple of more seasons.

In the meantime, the ground will be prepared for a signing up front. And, in this context, Haaland's candidacy is at the top of the list.

For his 83 goals in 87 games for Dortmund, for his desire to wear the white shirt one day and because he has a set price.