Pep Guardiola breaks silence on 'special Real Madrid release clause' for Erling Haaland

Pep Guardiola has played down the existence of a 'special' Real Madrid release clause within Erling Haaland's Manchester City contract.

Haaland sealed a sensational £51 million switch to the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in the summer transfer window.

The Norway international has made a blistering start to life in England but was subject was interest from a series of elite European clubs ahead of the season.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are believed to have been keen on adding the 22-year-old to their ranks but Manchester City won the race for Haaland's signature in the end.

Haaland scored his 18th and 19th goals of the season in Manchester City's 5-0 thrashing of FC Copenhagen in the Champions League group-stage on Wednesday evening.

The Leeds-born forward is leading the goalscoring charts in the Premier League by some distance, having netted 14 times in eight league starts for the Premier League champions.

It is worth noting that Real Madrid were initially understood to be Haaland's preferred destination before he decided to return to the club he supported as a child.

Madrid, who beat City over two legs in last season's Champions League semi-final, further missed out on their primary attacking target Kylian Mbappe, who signed a fresh three-year deal at Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

The European champions have since been linked with a potential swoop for Erling Haaland in the summer of 2024, which has fuelled speculation over a possible release clause entered into the forward's Manchester City contract.

With Haaland still only 22, there is certainly the possibility he could seek a move away from the Etihad Stadium before his existing deal runs out in 2027.

However, Pep Guardiola has played down the existence of a 'special' Real Madrid release clause in Haaland's City contract.

Speaking to the press after his side's third Champions League group-stage triumph of the campaign this week, the Catalan said: "Not true, no release clause for Real Madrid or any team. Not true, what can I say?

"I have the feeling he is incredibly happy at Manchester City and we will try with him and others to make him happy."

Haaland is on course to comfortably break all major scoring records in his debut Premier League season if he can maintain the start he has made to his City career.

The Norwegian became the fastest player to score three hat-tricks (eight games) in the English top-flight when he netted thrice in City's 6-3 drubbing of Manchester City on Sunday.

Haaland also set up Phil Foden twice to round off an extraordinary attacking display from arguably the best signing of the summer transfer window.