Manchester City are reportedly planning to hold contract talks with star striker Erling Haaland in the coming months.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a remarkable record-breaking debut campaign with the Citizens last season after joining the club from Borussia Dortmund for £51m in the summer of 2022.
Haaland was a key cog in Pep Guardiola's machine that celebrated winning a historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 2022-23, scoring 52 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions.
The Norwegian has since carried his impressive goalscoring form into the new campaign, netting eight times in seven Premier League games to help Man City climb to the top-flight summit.
Haaland still has four years remaining on his current contract at the Etihad Stadium, but that has not stopped the rumour mill linking the striker with a potential move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
© Reuters
Los Blancos were unable to lure Haaland to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer, but that are said to still hold an interest in the striker and may step up their pursuit in 2024.
Carlo Ancelotti's side are also long-term admirers of Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe and they are said to have ambitions of linking up the Frenchman with Haaland in the future.
Real Madrid are expected to prioritise the addition of a new centre-forward in the next two transfer windows after parting ways with club legend Karim Benzema in the summer.
In a bid to fend off Real Madrid's interest in Haaland, the Daily Mail claims that Man City are pushing to open talks with the Scandinavian over a new and improved contract.
© Reuters
The report adds that the treble winners are adamant that Haaland can fulfil his ambitions on the blue side of Manchester and they have an appetite to extend his current deal by at least another 12 months.
It is also claimed that City will discuss adding a release clause into Haaland's proposed new deal, with two initially inserted into his first contract including one that depended on Guardiola's future before he penned a new deal in November until 2025.
In addition, Haaland will likely be rewarded for his exceptional impact at the club with a salary increase, with the striker believed to be earning in the region of £400,000 per week plus bonuses on his current deal.
Haaland, who is strong contender to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or along with World Cup winner Lionel Messi, will be looking to get his name on the scoresheet when Man City travel to the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Oliver Thomas
