Erling Haaland stance on Man City guilty verdict revealed by teammate after 'leaked' contract detail
Norway defender Kristoffer Ajer has revealed Erling Haaland's current state of mind after Manchester City were found guilty of almost all charges brought against them by the Premier League over three years ago.
Like all of his teammates at the Etihad Stadium, Haaland is set to be impacted by the club's financial wrongdoing once a punishment is handed down.
City were found guilty of 114 charges for breaching financial rules between 2008/09 and 2017/18 during a period when they won three Premier League titles. As it stands, all punishments are on the table, including points deductions, expulsion/relegation from the top flight, and a transfer ban.
Erling Haaland is still 'focused' after Man City guilty verdict
The Cityzens have continued to protest their innocence throughout the case and have until Friday (October 2) to launch a formal appeal.
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Everyone associated with the club has been forced to stew on the situation during the three-week international break, perhaps fearing the worst for their futures.
Haaland is one of several in Enzo Maresca's squad who would leave if City were expelled from the top flight. The Norwegian goal machine penned a bumper nine-and-a-half-year deal through to 2034 in January 2025.
The deal is supposedly worth £260million, equal to a basic salary of £500,000 per week, and doesn't include a relegation release clause - like every other player in the squad.
But when asked to offer an insight into how Haaland is currently feeling, Norway teammate Kristoffer Ajer claimed the striker is "fully focused" halfway through this four-game Nations League window.
"He's been exactly the way he's always the same with the national team," Ajer said.
"He's truly focused on the upcoming games. I think he's trying to do the same as everyone else, wait and see what the outcome is - but right now the main focus is Wales tomorrow night. That's clearly been his way of doing it."
Asked if he had seen a difference in Haaland since the news broke, 59-cap Ajer said: "No not at all. Ever since I met him brings lot of energy and joy to the group.
"The biggest compliment I always give is that he hasn't changed a bit from the moment I met him even though he's the biggest star on the planet right now.
"He's been exactly the same the last few days as well which is not a surprise for me."
Haaland has scored three goals for his country during the break - two against Denmark in a 3-2 victory and a strike during a 2-1 defeat to Portugal last time out.
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Where Erling Haaland could go after Man City
When City return from the international break with a visit to Liverpool, the players and managerial team will be seriously tested mentally after attempting to come to terms with this verdict.
Several players may already be plotting their exits from the Etihad Stadium, including Haaland, who has a long list of suitors across Europe.
It was reported earlier this week that both Arsenal and Real Madrid have 'made contact' with Haaland's representatives. Surprisingly, the 26-year-old has no interest in sticking around if the club are expelled from the league.
Long-term admirers Barcelona also remain keen on the unstoppable centre-forward, who has scored a whopping 169 goals in 205 appearances for the Cityzens since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2022.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Premier League, Man City
Thomas Griffin