Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has told Sports Mole that he surprised by the "absurd" length of Erling Haaland's new contract, but his long-term commitment to the club is "special news".
The Citizens announced last Friday that Haaland has penned an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year contract, keeping the striker at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2034.
Haaland's previous deal was due to expire in June 2027 and there were suggestions that the 24-year-old could be tempted by a move to either Real Madrid or Barcelona in the near future, with both clubs said to have been aware of his reported £175m release clause.
However, that release clause has now been removed and Haaland - who was born into a family with a genuine affiliation with Man City through his father and former Citizens player Alf-Inge Haaland - has decided to pledge the best years of his career to Pep Guardiola's side.
Since moving to the Etihad from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022, Haaland has enhanced his reputation as one of the world's deadliest strikers, scoring 112 goals in 127 appearances across all competitions.
Haaland's "absurd" deal keeps him at Man City until 2034
Man City are unsurprisingly keeping the finances of the deal well under wraps, but it has been reported that Haaland's contract is 'one of the most lucrative deals in sport of all time' which will see him earn around £500,000 per week, plus bonuses.
The Norwegian's contract represents the longest of any current player in the Premier League, while the rest of the top 10 are made up of nine Chelsea players who have long-term deals with expiry dates between 2031 and 2033.
While Chelsea's decision to hand out long-term contracts to their players was made to spread out payments and avoid breaching financial rules, Haaland's bumper new deal is seemingly a reward for his superb spell at Man City - but nevertheless comes as a surprise, especially with the Citizens still awaiting the outcome of a battle against the Premier League over alleged financial rule breaches.
Asked if he was surprised by the length of Haaland's new deal, McInerney told Sports Mole: "Yeah, it's absurd. I was talking to my wife [about how] my son - who's only two - will be in secondary school by the time Haaland's contract finishes!
"I'll be nearly 50, I'll be about 48 years old by the time it's over - it's horrible, it's terrifying, so it's one of those things where that length of time is absurd.
"I'm not naive, I don't really think it benefits anyone other than a sort of monetary thing. There'll be some finance stuff behind it. It's moving money around in a clever way. It's become the norm and Chelsea have been very good at it.
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McInerney: 'Haaland loves Man City dearly'
"I don't think anyone wants a 10-year contract for no reason. I'm sure if Haaland continues to be sensational, there'll be an update of that contract in three years from now or something like that.
"Either way, seeing a man of that insane profile, one of the biggest superstars in world football, the kind of person that makes young football fans become a fan of your club - there's ponytails and Haaland shirts everywhere where I live - I mean that's huge for the club.
"Ultimately, when you've been told constantly that City are just a stepping stone for Real Madrid or Barcelona, then you see Haaland sign a contract of that magnitude and length - it's a great moment for City.
"It builds in once again to the feel-good factor that City are trying to cultivate right now with the turn in form, with the transfers and everything.
"Special news for a special footballer and one that loves this club dearly, which is ultimately the most important thing as well."
Haaland, who has won six trophies at the Etihad including two Premier League title and one Champions League, kissed the Man City badge after scoring his 17th Premier League goal of the season in the Citizens' emphatic 6-0 win at Ipswich Town last weekend.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Oliver Thomas
