Manchester City 'relaxed over Erling Haaland future amid Real Madrid reports'

A recent report claims that Los Blancos could sign the Norwegian for around €100m (£86.1m) due to the alleged terms of a release clause in his contract at the Etihad Stadium.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have been strongly linked with Haaland for some time, even before he joined the Citizens from Borussia Dortmund in July 2022, as they continue their hunt for a long-term successor to Karim Benzema, who joined Saudi Arabian outfit Al Ittihad last summer.

However, according to The Sun, Man City remain confident that Haaland is happy at the club and is settled with Pep Guardiola's side for the 'foreseeable future'.

The 23-year-old still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, and the Citizens are believed to be exploring the possibility of tying the striker down to a new-and-improved deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League.

Last month, Haaland's agent Rafaela Pimenta played down speculation linking her client with Real Madrid, stating that the striker is "the master of his destiny", but she insisted that Man City's No.9 would never disrespect the club by forcing an exit.

Haaland enjoyed a truly remarkable record-breaking debut campaign with Man City in 2022-23, scoring 52 goals in 53 appearances to help Guardiola's side win a historic treble.

The Norway international has since won a plethora of individual accolades and has chipped in with 19 goals in 22 games for the Citizens so far this season, including 14 strikes in 15 Premier League matches.

Haaland has been out of action since early December with a foot injury and has subsequently missed each of Man City's last eight matches in all competitions.

However, the striker is closing in on a return to Guardiola's side and has taken part in first-team training ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Newcastle United.

Haaland is not the only high-profile striker on Real Madrid's radar, as Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe continues to be linked with a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe has entered the final six months of his contract with the Ligue 1 champions and is free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs, but PSG president Nasser Al Khelaifi has encouraged the 25-year-old to stay put in the French capital.